China News Service, May 8 (Zhang Mingxin) Recently, acute hepatitis of unknown cause continues to spread in many countries around the world, causing concern.

More than 200 cases have been reported in 20 countries around the world, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

China's National Health Commission said on the 7th that at present, no related cases have been found in China.

　　Several experts believe that this unexplained hepatitis may be caused by adenovirus infection, but other possibilities have not been ruled out.

According to a recent survey by the World Health Organization, since the vast majority of children with unexplained acute hepatitis have not been vaccinated against the new coronavirus, the hypothesis related to the vaccination of the new coronavirus is not currently supported.

Since the source of infection has not been confirmed, many health agencies recommend that preventive measures should be strengthened.

Data map: World Health Organization (WHO).

Global spread, more than 200 cases reported in a month

　　On April 5, local time, the United Kingdom first reported to WHO the discovery of acute hepatitis of unknown cause in children.

In less than a month, at least 228 cases of acute hepatitis in children have been reported globally, with more than 50 cases under investigation.

　　At present, acute hepatitis of unknown etiology in children has spread to 20 countries around the world, among which, the situation in Europe and the United States is more serious.

According to the BBC, 163 cases have been identified in the UK, 11 of whom required liver transplants.

　　According to the latest data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the 6th, 109 cases have been found in 25 states and territories in the United States.

Five of the children diagnosed have died, 14% required liver transplantation, and more than 90% required hospitalization.

　　The disease has also spread to Latin America and Asia.

Argentina's Ministry of Health issued a notice saying that eight cases have been detected in the country since May.

Japan reported seven cases, while Indonesia said three children died of unexplained acute hepatitis in April.

The cause is unknown, is it related to adenovirus or new crown?

　　The National Health Commission of China released answers to questions about acute hepatitis in children of unknown cause on the 7th, introducing the following common characteristics of children:

　　——Age from 1 month to 16 years old, mostly under 10 years old;

　　- Jaundice, nausea, abdominal pain, fatigue, lethargy, and gastrointestinal symptoms (including diarrhea and vomiting), most children without fever;

　　- Laboratory liver biochemical tests showed markedly elevated transaminases (AST or ALT).

　　In addition, most of the children also experienced symptoms such as loss of appetite, joint pain, dark urine and light stool, CNN said.

　　At present, the medical community has not found the cause of acute hepatitis in children. WHO previously notified that laboratory analysis has ruled out the possibility that hepatitis A, B, C, D and E viruses of unknown cause are caused by hepatitis A, B, C, D and E viruses. Novel coronavirus or adenovirus was detected in samples from some cases.

　　The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the U.K.’s Health Security Agency believe that the increase in hepatitis cases may be related to adenovirus infection.

Three-quarters of 163 children infected with hepatitis in the UK tested positive for adenovirus, the analysis showed.

　　The "Lancet" analysis believes that adenoviruses are usually not dangerous, but the lockdown caused by the new crown pandemic has left young children without regular exposure to adenoviruses, so they may show severe immune responses.

Children are vaccinated at the National Children's Hospital in Washington, U.S., November 3, 2021.

　　In addition, recent WHO surveys have shown that since the vast majority of children with acute hepatitis of unknown cause have not been vaccinated against COVID-19, the hypothesis related to vaccination against COVID-19 is not currently supported.

　　The possibility that a new variant of the adenovirus could make children sick cannot be ruled out, according to the UK's Health Security Agency.

The agency also said that it is currently testing and investigating drugs, toxins and environmental factors, but the cause of acute hepatitis in such children is likely to be caused by an infection.

Stay vigilant, multiple parties call for enhanced prevention

　　Currently, there is no specific treatment for acute hepatitis in children by national health organizations, and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) said that current treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms, and treatment recommendations can only be refined after the source of infection has been identified.

　　In view of the fact that some severely ill children require liver transplantation or even die, the health departments of many countries have called for increased attention and prevention of the disease.

　　Washing hands, covering coughs and sneezes, and avoiding people who are sick can help prevent adenovirus infection, the CDC says, although it remains unclear whether there is a link between adenovirus and acute hepatitis cases in children .

Data map: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

　　Meera Chand, Director of Clinical and Emerging Infections at the UK Health Security Agency, also said normal hygiene measures such as hand washing "help reduce the spread of many of the infections we are investigating".

　　The National Health Commission of China stated that the main route of infection of acute hepatitis in children is through the digestive tract and blood.

The main preventive measures are to prevent children from going to crowded and poorly ventilated public places, cut off contact with droplets and fecal-oral transmission routes, ensure adequate sleep and nutrition for children, regularly wash children’s clothing and frequently contacted items, wash hands frequently, and wear masks. , Keep social distance, such as children with jaundice, gastrointestinal symptoms and other hepatitis symptoms, they need to seek medical attention in time.

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