Experts say that the mysterious succession of hepatitis cases in children may be partially blocked.

According to experts, the blockade of Covid may partially explain the mysterious sequence of hepatitis cases in children.

Seventy-four adolescents under the age of 10 have had an inflammatory liver condition in the United Kingdom since January. Six people needed a liver transplant.

Sick children have also been reported in the United States, Ireland and Denmark. Netherlands When Spain — But scientists still don’t know what’s behind the incident.

The UK Health and Safety Agency believes that adenovirus, a common family of viruses that usually causes mild colds, vomiting, and diarrhea, may play a role.

Experts who have been tasked with investigating a series of illnesses believe that the endless cycle of blockade may have contributed to weakening the child’s immunity and increasing the risk of adenovirus.

Write in the journal Euro surveillanceA team led by Scottish public health epidemiologist Dr. Kimberly Marsh said that due to restrictions, more children could be “immunologically naive” to the virus.

They say:

“The latter scenario can be the result of a limited social mix during the pandemic.”

Other scientists said it could have been a virus that acquired an “abnormal mutation.”

Five of the 13 cases of hepatitis in Scotland were tested positive for adenovirus. Five were infected with Covid and two were positive for both viruses.

UKHSA points out that not only Covid, but other infectious diseases and environmental triggers are still being investigated as possible causes of the disease.

However, Professor Graham Cooke, an infectious disease expert at Imperial College London, said Covid was unlikely to be held responsible.

He states: “Mild hepatitis is very common in children after various viral infections, but what is currently seen is quite different.

“If hepatitis is the result of Covid, it is surprising not to see hepatitis widely distributed throughout the country, given the high prevalence of (Covid) at this time.”

He said the theory that infants could suffer from more serious symptoms due to their weak immunity to the blockade is “guessing but possible.”

Professor Cook Me: “There will be a group of children under the age of two who are not exposed to the same number of viruses as they were exposed to the normal virus.”

Only two of the Scottish cases were under 2 years of age.

Imperial virology expert said Telegraph It is “very rare and rare” for a child to suffer from severe hepatitis, especially to the extent that a liver transplant is needed.

Experts who wish to remain anonymous said:

“It makes people think that something unusual is happening, such as a mutated virus or other cause.

“It rang the alarm bell.”

Hepatitis often has no noticeable symptoms, but includes dark urine, light gray feces, itchy skin, and yellowing of the eyes and skin.

Infected people can also suffer from muscle and joint pain, high temperatures, mood, illness, and always abnormal malaise.

When hepatitis is spread by the virus, it is usually caused by consuming food or drink contaminated with feces or blood of an infected person and blood or sexual contact.

U.S. officials have also found nine cases among children in Alabama, all of which have been tested positive for adenovirus. The two had to undergo a liver transplant.

Some doctors point out that the finding of adenovirus in children with hepatitis does not necessarily mean that the virus is the cause of liver disease, because adenovirus is so common in children. ..

They usually do not cause hepatitis, but it is a known rare complication of the virus.

According to UKHSA, adenovirus is usually transmitted from person to person by touching a contaminated surface and also through the “respiratory pathway”.

He excluded the link to the Covid vaccine, saying that none of the affected children were vaccinated.

The World Health Organization said adenoviruses are on the rise in the UK, which is also prevalent at the same time as Covid, but the potential role of these viruses in inducing hepatitis is unknown.

Some children tested positive for the coronavirus, but WHO said genetic analysis of the virus was needed to determine if there was any association between the cases.

No other connections have been found among the children in the UK, and no one has recently traveled abroad. Lab tests are also underway to determine if a chemical or toxin may be the cause.

WHO said less than 5 cases were identified in Ireland and 3 cases in Spain among children aged 22 months to 13 years.

The United Nations health agency said more cases are likely to be detected before the cause of the outbreak is identified, given the proliferation of cases and increased surveillance.