Nearly 200 cases of mysterious liver disease in children worldwide – National & International News – TUE 26Apr2022

Nearly 200 mysterious hepatitis cases in children worldwide. Fears Ukraine tensions spilling over into neighboring countries.

NATIONAL NEWS

Nearly 200 cases of mysterious liver disease in children worldwide

Last week, the CDC sounded the alarm about a rare but serious liver disease affecting young children in the US and Europe. As of last week, most of the cases had been detected in Europe, while there had been about a dozen cases in the US. Nine of those were in Alabama, where one child was sick enough to need a liver transplant.

Now, European and UN health officials have tallied about 190 confirmed cases worldwide, including Europe, the US and Israel. One case has also been detected in Japan, the first in Asia. Several have needed liver transplants. There has been one death so far, but officials didn’t say where that death occurred.

The disease has affected otherwise healthy children between the ages of 1-16 with no pre-existing conditions. Officials say they have not found a firm link between cases and no connection with recent travel. Despite widespread speculation, researchers have ruled out any connection to COVID or COVID vaccines. Most of those affected are too young to be vaccinated.

UK sees possible adenovirus link

As of yesterday, the UK Health Security Agency had recorded 111 cases of unexplained hepatitis in children under 10 since January. Researchers with the UKHSA say adenovirus was detected in 75% of the afflicted children they tested. This is not enough to establish a firm causal link, but it is suggestive. Only 40% of cases have tested positive globally.

Adenoviruses are very common in children and usually produce cold-like symptoms. There has also been a sharp rise in adenoviruses among children after a sharp drop during the pandemic. Some researchers have theorized that children who had no exposure to such viruses during school closures and lockdown may now be having more severe reactions.

British officials are looking at one particular adenovirus – Adenovirus 41 – which normally causes gut inflammation. However, officials stress that more work is necessary and the investigation is still ongoing.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Ukraine tensions spilling over into neighboring country

The small nation of Moldova shares its eastern border with Ukraine and has been taking in thousands of Ukrainian refugees since the war began. Moldova is not part of the EU or NATO. Like Ukraine, Moldova also has a region of ethnic Russian separatists called Transnistria on its eastern border. Transnistria has a permanent contingent of 1,500 Russian troops as well as a large Russia arms depot.

This week, a regional security ministry building was shelled and two antennas carrying Russian radio broadcast were destroyed by unknown actors. Moldova’s national government is watching events there with concern as Russia’s front in Ukraine advances in their direction.

Click here for the full story (opens in new tab).

Please share any thoughts, comments or questions in the Comments section below!