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WHO: world has 700 probable cases and 10 deaths from hepatitis of unknown cause in children

The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a warning about cases of severe acute hepatitis of unknown origin in children in the UK in April. Epidemiological, laboratory and clinical information on cases currently available to WHO remains limited. To date, no causative agent of the disease has been determined.

Until the moment, more than 700 probable cases were reported to WHO from 34 countries. Another 112 cases are under investigation. At least 38 of these children needed liver transplants being that 10 died .

The information was updated by the director-general of the WHO, Tedros Adhanom, in an announcement to the press on Wednesday (8).

“WHO continues to work with countries to investigate the cause of hepatitis in these children. So far, the five viruses that commonly cause hepatitis have not been detected in any of these cases. WHO receives reports of unexplained hepatitis in children every year, but some countries have indicated that the rates being seen are higher than expected,” Adhanom said.

Brazil investigates suspected cases

Brazil is investigating 71 suspected cases of the disease. According to the Ministry of Health, until Sunday (5), 106 cases were reported, 34 were discarded and 1 was classified as probable.

Last Sunday (5), an 11-year-old boy died at the Children’s Hospital, in Rio de Janeiro, with suspected acute hepatitis of unknown origin.

The child lives in Campos dos Goytacazes, in the north of Rio de Janeiro, where he received the first care and had the suspicion of the disease raised by doctors.

(With information from Cleber Rodrigues, from CNN)

Source: CNN Brasil

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