May 12, 2022- 7:24 a.m.
A new hepatitis alert was issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Wednesday telling doctors to take liver samples from the sickest patients — after five children died from the disease in the U.S. and 15 needed a liver transplant.
It comes as scientists remain stumped as to the cause behind the mystery illness, with adenovirus — which can cause the common cold — currently the chief suspect.
In its second alert in three weeks the CDC recommended clinicians widen their search for an adenovirus infection by taking samples from the organ ‘if available’, as well as collecting stool, throat and blood specimens to be tested for adenovirus.
Previously, the agency had only suggested taking samples from one of these — excluding the liver — to scan for the little-known virus.
Earlier this week Hawaii and Massachusetts became the 25th and 26th states to declare suspected mysterious hepatitis cases in children.
The U.S. currently has more than 100 cases suspected or confirmed and the highest death toll in the world, behind Indonesia which has reported three deaths.
Nearly 300 mysterious hepatitis cases have been spotted in children worldwide to date, with most in the UK (160) and U.S. — although this may be because the countries have better surveillance systems.
Scientists are puzzled as to what is causing the outbreak, but the leading theory is that it is triggered by adenovirus which most — but not all — patients have tested positive for.
Other hypotheses being investigated include that lockdowns have weakened children’s immunity, or that a previous Covid infection or even exposure to a pet dog could be to blame.
- The agency told clinicians to take several tests to probe for adenovirus cases
- Previously, they had only been recommended to take one test for the virus
- There was also no mention of taking a liver sample to test for adenovirus cases
- Yesterday Hawaii and Massachusetts became latest states to detect hepatitisÂ
Some cases resolve themselves, with no ongoing issues, but a fraction can be deadly, forcing patients to need liver transplants to survive.
What are the symptoms?
People who have hepatitis generally have fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, light-colored stools and joint pain.
They may also suffer from jaundice — when the skin and whites of the eyes turn yellow.
