The Argentine Ministry of Health has just reported the first case of acute childhood hepatitis. The new disease whose origin is under study by the World Health Organization (WHO) is beginning to spread alarmingly and has already reached Latin America.
According to the statement issued by the Argentine government, the case corresponds to a minor under eight years of age, who is treated at the Children’s Hospital in the northern area of the city of Rosario, Argentina. He is currently in stable condition and under observation.
On Tuesday, April 3, the WHO confirmed at least 228 cases of acute childhood hepatitis of unknown origin in 20 countries. So far, four minors have died and 10 percent of those affected urgently need a liver transplant.
Although Argentina is the first country in Latin America to register a case of acute childhood hepatitis, health authorities in Latin American countries are already evaluating the situation and preparing a medical team. Unfortunately, the origin of this new disease is still unknown, so there is no adequate method or treatment to treat or eradicate it.
The first outbreak of acute childhood hepatitis was detected in April in the United Kingdom and, since then, cases have been identified in countries such as Spain, Israel, Denmark, Italy, among others.
So far, tests carried out by the WHO theorize that the disease may be related to a respiratory-type adenovirus. However, other possible infections that include covid-19 or environmental causes are already being investigated.
The symptoms that have been detected in acute childhood hepatitis are abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting and there is no fever.
The WHO is already working to find the origin of the disease that affects minors and, as a preventive measure, suggests constant hand washing and covering when sneezing or coughing.