Hundreds of children have fallen ill with hepatitis, leading to more than a dozen deaths. Getty Images
Hundreds of children have fallen ill with hepatitis, leading to more than a dozen deaths. Getty Images
Hundreds of children have fallen ill with hepatitis, leading to more than a dozen deaths. Getty Images
Hundreds of children have fallen ill with hepatitis, leading to more than a dozen deaths. Getty Images

WHO says more than 900 probable cases of acute hepatitis reported in children


Neil Murphy
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Thirty-three countries have reported 920 probable cases of severe acute hepatitis in children so far, a jump of 270 from May, the World Health Organisation said on Friday.

The WHO said the European region accounted for half the probable cases, including 267 from the United Kingdom, while a third were from the United States.

Health authorities globally have been investigating the mysterious rise in severe cases of hepatitis — or liver inflammation — in young children.

The outbreak was first reported in April in Britain and has since then hit dozens of other countries.

US health officials say infection with adenovirus, a common childhood virus, is the leading hypothesis for the cases.

The latest WHO data was as of June 22 and excluded four countries with reported cases yet to be classified.

Of the 422 cases in which gender and age-related information is available, close to half occurred in males, with most of them under six years of age, according to the report.

The WHO said 45 children with acute hepatitis have required liver transplants, and there have been 18 deaths, most of them occurring in the Americas.

If you go

The flights Etihad (www.etihad.com) and Spice Jet (www.spicejet.com) fly direct from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Pune respectively from Dh1,000 return including taxes. Pune airport is 90 minutes away by road. 

The hotels A stay at Atmantan Wellness Resort (www.atmantan.com) costs from Rs24,000 (Dh1,235) per night, including taxes, consultations, meals and a treatment package.
 

If you go...

Etihad flies daily from Abu Dhabi to Zurich, with fares starting from Dh2,807 return. Frequent high speed trains between Zurich and Vienna make stops at St. Anton.

Updated: June 25, 2022, 4:08 AM`