15 Countries Confirm Mysterious Hepatitis - Adenovirus Cases in Children

The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) confirmed an increase in severe acute hepatitis cases of unknown etiology among previously healthy children continues worldwide.

As of April 29, 2022, various news sources indicated that 214 acute hepatitis or adenovirus cases had been reported from 15 countries.

Furthermore, reports indicate there have been 17 liver transplants and one related pediatric fatality.

Cases have been reported in Austria (2), Belgium (2), the United Kingdom of Great Britain (Ireland, Scotland) and Northern Ireland (111), Israel (12), Denmark (6), Japan (1), Germany (1), France (2), Italy (17), The Netherlands (4), Norway (2), Spain (13), and Romania (1).

And in the U.S., Alabama (9), California (7), Illinois (3), North Carolina (2), and Wisconsin (4) have reported similar cases.

The ECDC reported cases had been tested for various infectious causes, and the most common pathogens found were adenovirus and SARS-CoV-2.

In England and Scotland, 75.5% and 50% of cases tested positive for adenovirus.

Subtyping of 11 cases from the UK investigation found that these were all type 41F, the same subtype identified among several cases reported from the US.

Other adenoviruses were also found in some non-blood samples among the UK cases investigated.

The UK published a technical briefing document on April 25, 2022.

In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a Health Alert Network Health Advisory on April 21, 2022, notifying clinicians and public health authorities of a cluster of children identified with hepatitis and adenovirus infection that began in November 2021.

There is an Adenovector vaccine available for U.S. military personnel. Unfortunately, no adenovirus targeted vaccine is available to the U.S. general public.

Additional adenovirus - hepatitis outbreak news is posted at PrecisionVaccinations.com/Adenovirus.

Please note this is a developing story, and we will publish updates as more information becomes available.