Unexplained hepatitis infections in children continue to occur around the world, and the cause is still unknown.
The British health department pointed out that many local patients had contact with dogs, so they are analyzing whether the two are related.
Sky News reported on May 7 that according to data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), there have been 163 unidentified hepatitis cases in the local area so far. All cases mentioned that the patient had been in contact with dogs.
Authorities said they were studying the significance of the discovery, but acknowledged that dog ownership is so common in the UK that it could not be ruled out as a coincidence.
The UKHSA pointed out that the adenovirus (adenovirus) was found in most patients, and it is estimated that this may be the reason for the increase in cases. However, adenovirus has rarely caused hepatitis in healthy children in the past, so experts are trying to find out the cause.
One hypothesis was that they had been infected with the new coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19), or had an adenovirus genetic change.
Another hypothesis is related to the outbreak of lockdowns and social distancing measures, during which experts believe children have not contracted common infectious diseases.
Authorities reiterated to parents that the risk of hepatitis infection in children is still very low, but urged them to watch out for signs of infection such as jaundice.
The National Health Service (NHS) is calling on everyone to help prevent hepatitis as long as they practice good hygiene, including frequent hand washing.
More than 20 states in the United States recorded 109 cases of unidentified childhood hepatitis, 5 of which died CDC launches investigation into the cause of acute hepatitis in children is still a mystery die