GENEVA—The World Health Organization said Tuesday that 348 probable cases of hepatitis of unknown origin had been identified, as studies into the potential role of adenovirus and Covid-19 infection gather pace. She said Britain had been coordinating a comprehensive set of studies looking at the genetics of the children affected, their immune response, viruses and further epidemiological studies. The WHO was first informed on April 5 of 10 unexplained hepatitis cases in Scotland, detected in children under the age of 10. Many cases reported jaundice, and gastrointestinal symptoms including abdominal pain, diarrhoea and vomiting. After the discovery of the first 169 cases, the WHO said common viruses that cause acute viral hepatitis (hepatitis viruses A, B, C, D and E) were not detected in any of them.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer May 11, 2022 11:51 UTC