Mysterious liver illness seen in kids in US, Europe

[buh buh biden]

NEW YORK (AP) — Health officials in several countries are investigating
mysterious cases of severe liver disease in children, and they think it
may be related to a kind of virus usually associated with colds.

The U.K. has been investigating at least 74 cases in which children came
down with hepatitis, or liver inflammation, the World Health Organization
said Friday. Three similar cases in Spain and a few in Ireland are being
investigated, the WHO said.

Meanwhile, U.S. health officials say they are looking into nine similar
cases. All were in Alabama, but officials say they are looking to see if
there are more elsewhere.

"Given the increase in cases reported over the past one month and enhanced
case search activities, more cases are likely to be reported in the coming
days," WHO officials said in a statement.
The U.S. children ranged in age from 1 to 6 years old, and two required
liver transplants. The European cases are in a similar age range, though
some have been older, WHO officials said.

The WHO first became aware of the unusual illnesses early this month, when
they learned of 10 children in Scotland with liver problems. One got sick
in January and the nine others in March. All became severely ill and were
diagnosed with hepatitis after being taken to the hospital.

The liver processes nutrients, filters the blood and fights infections.
The infections caused symptoms like jaundice, diarrhea and abdominal pain.
Hepatitis can be life-threatening if left untreated.

Since then, British health officials have identified at least 64 more
cases. None died, but six needed liver transplants, the WHO said Friday.

Laboratory testing has ruled out the hepatitis type A, B, C and E viruses
that usually cause such illnesses. Officials say they are not aware of
international travel or other factors that might have put the kids at
risk.

But they noted there's been a recent surge in the spread of adenoviruses.

There are dozens of adenoviruses, many of them associated with cold-like
symptoms, fever, sore throat and pink eye. But some versions can trigger
other problems, including inflammation in the stomach and intestines.

Adenoviruses previously have been linked to hepatitis in children, but
mostly in kids with weakened immune systems.

Some of the European children tested positive for adenovirus, and some
tested positive for COVID-19. But more lab work is needed to explore any
potential associations with specific viruses, the WHO said.

Alabama health officials say they have been looking into an increase in
hepatitis in children since November. In each case, the child tested
positive for adenovirus. Officials are exploring a link to one particular
version — adenovirus 41 — that's normally associated with gut
inflammation.

None of the Alabama cases had any underlying health conditions that would
seem to put them at risk for liver illness, health officials said.

"At this time adenovirus may be the cause for these, but investigators are
still learning more — including ruling out the more common causes of
hepatitis," the CDC said in a statement.

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