More than 100 children in the UK have suffered from a hepatitis condition with eight needing liver transplants. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said the total number of cases in the UK now stands at 108.
So far 79 of the affected youngsters are in England, 14 are in Scotland and the remainder are in Wales and Northern Ireland. All the children affected presented to health services between January 2022 and April 12, 2022. The UKHSA said Covid-19 vaccines were not causing the cases as none of the children had had a jab.
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In Wales, Dr Giri Shankar, Director of Health Protection for Public Health Wales, has urged parents to be on the lookout for symptoms. He said: "Hepatitis can cause jaundice and inflammation of the liver, so parents and carers should be aware of the symptoms of jaundice – including skin with a yellow tinge which is most easily seen in the whites of the eyes.
“We are reminding the public to familiarise themselves with this and other symptoms of hepatitis in light of these UK cases. Parents and carers are reminded that they should keep their children away from school and seek advice from a GP or an appropriate specialist if their child experiences any symptoms linked with hepatitis.”
The public health body has said that hepatitis symptoms include:
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dark urine
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pale, grey-coloured poo
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itchy skin
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yellowing of the eyes and skin (jaundice)
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muscle and joint pain
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a high temperature
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feeling and being sick
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feeling unusually tired all the time
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loss of appetite
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tummy pain.
Cases have also been reported in the US, Ireland, Denmark, the Netherlands and Spain but scientists are still unsure what is causing them. They suspect a virus and have not ruled out coronavirus. However the prime suspect is a family of common viruses called adenoviruses that usually cause a range of mild illnesses including colds, vomiting and diarrhoea. Most people recover without complications.
Some experts believe children’s weakened immune systems following repeat lockdowns could be a factor. Dr Meera Chand, director of infections at UKHSA, said: “We are working with the NHS and public health colleagues in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to swiftly investigate a wide range of possible factors which may be causing children to be admitted to hospital with liver inflammation known as hepatitis.
“Information gathered through our investigations increasingly suggests that this is linked to adenovirus infection. However, we are thoroughly investigating other potential causes.
“Normal hygiene measures such as thorough handwashing (including supervising children) and good thorough respiratory hygiene, help to reduce the spread of many common infections, including adenovirus. We are also calling on parents and guardians, to be alert to the signs of hepatitis (including jaundice) and to contact a healthcare professional if they are concerned.” Get the latest news from WalesOnline straight to your inbox for free with our free newsletters.
