Mysterious liver disease found in children spreads to Japan and Canada

The mysterious outbreak of hepatitis primarily reported in Europe has spread to Asia and North America. A child in Japan was recently diagnosed with liver inflammation disease. The WHO said the cases were reported in children aged between one month and 16 years.

So far, 190 cases of acute hepatitis of unknown origin have been reported across the world and 140 of them are in Europe. The UK seems to have received the worst impact with 110 cases. Similar cases were reported in the USA and Israel as well, reported The Guardian.

Children diagnosed with liver disease are tested negative for adenovirus, a common cause suspected by the medical community. None of the patients have had liver transplants either. Hepatitis is usually caused by one of several contagious hepatitis viruses. It is uncommon for children to be affected by the virus.

Andrea Ammon, director at the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control in Stockholm, said previously healthy children are being affected by the virus. 17 of the children needed liver transplants to fight the disease. At least one death has been reported by the WHO.

The first cases of mysterious hepatitis were reported in the UK in January and Japan's first and only case was reported on April 21.

Jaundice, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain are common symptoms to watch out for.

The UK Health Security Agency is working on the theory that the lack of exposure to the common adenovirus during the pandemic is causing severe illness in children. The virus is typically responsible for the common cold and stomach upset.

Public Health Scotland's director, Jim McMenamin, said adenovirus may have mutated when it came in contact with coronavirus, reported Reuters.