Pet dogs are being probed as a potential cause of a mysterious hepatitis outbreak striking children across the world.
Health chiefs claim a ‘high’ number of the sickened children, who are aged 10 and under, come from families which own dogs or have had ‘dog exposures’.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), tasked with hunting down why dozens of children have developed the unusual type of liver disease, said the ‘significance of this finding is being explored’.
Meanwhile, another 18 hepatitis cases were confirmed across the UK by May 3, bringing the total to 163.
The World Health Organization said earlier this week that nearly 300 cases had been detected globally. One death has been confirmed while four are under investigation. But none of these are in the UK.
Three-quarters of the UK’s hepatitis patients have tested positive for adenoviruses — which normally cause the common cold and stomach bugs — and are thought to be the culprit, despite rarely causing liver inflammation.
And UK scientists said an even higher rate of hepatitis patients may have adenovirus, as not all had been given the gold-standard test.
UK scientists said an ‘exceptionally large wave’ of adenovirus infections could be causing the very rare hepatitis complication to appear more frequently.
However, a new adenovirus or coronavirus variant, long Covid or a exposure to a drug or other environmental factor could be to blame, they said.
Dr Meera Chand, director of clinical and emerging infections at the UKHSA, said the link with adenovirus is being ‘rigorously’ assessed and warned parents to be on the lookout for hepatitis symptoms, while noting the likelihood of their child being affected is ‘extremely low’.
Jaundice — yellowing of the skin and whites of eyes — is the most common symptom, followed by vomiting and pale stools.
The World Health Organization said earlier this week that nearly 300 cases had been detected globally. One death has been confirmed while four are under investigation. But none of these are in the UK
The UK had detected 163 confirmed and possible hepatitis cases among under-10s by May 3, which were not caused by the usual hepatitis A to E viruses. Of these, 118 cases are resident in England, 22 in Scotland, 13 in Wales and 10 in Northern Ireland
As of May 3, there were 118 cases confirmed in England, none of which are linked with each other. Some 40 cases in the country are waiting to be confirmed (grey bars). Nearly six in 10 cases are among children aged three to five
The report also revealed that adenovirus continues to be the most commonly detected virus amongst the youngsters with hepatitis. Blood tests from 126 of the affected children in the UK showed 91 were carrying it (72 per cent). And the UKHSA noted that some who tested negative only had throat and faecal tests rather than the gold-standard blood test
Health chiefs claim a ‘high’ number of the sickened children, who are aged 10 and under, come from families which own dogs or have had ‘dog exposures’. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), tasked with hunting down why dozens of children have developed the unusual type of liver disease, said the ‘significance of this finding is being explored’
In its weekly hepatitis briefing, the UKHSA said it trawled through questionnaire responses from hepatitis patients and found 70 per cent — 64 of 92 respondents — owned a dog or had been exposed to a dog.
The health chiefs noted that pet dog ownership is ‘common in the UK’ and the finding may be chance but it is investigating if it is of any significance.
Around half of UK adults own a pet, according to pet charity data, but there are are limited figures on pet ownership rates in families that include young children.
Dr Chand said: ‘It’s important that parents know the likelihood of their child developing hepatitis is extremely low.
‘However, we continue to remind everyone to be alert to the signs of hepatitis – particularly jaundice, look for a yellow tinge in the whites of the eyes – and contact your doctor if you are concerned.
‘Our investigations continue to suggest that there is an association with adenovirus and our studies are now testing this association rigorously.
‘We are also investigating other contributors, including prior SARS-COV-2, and are working closely with the NHS and academic partners to understand the mechanism of liver injury in affected children.’
Health chiefs are hopeful that hepatitis cases have peaked, noting that there has been ‘some apparent reduction in confirmed cases in the past two weeks’.
However, the downturn may be due to reporting lags, as Scotland is continuing to log cases and there are a ‘substantial’ number of suspected cases in England that are being investigated, the UKHSA said.
The report also revealed that adenovirus continues to be the most commonly detected virus amongst the youngsters with hepatitis.
Blood tests from 126 of the affected children in the UK showed 91 were carrying it (72 per cent).
And the UKHSA noted that some who tested negative only had throat and faecal tests rather than the gold-standard blood test.
‘It is therefore not possible to definitively rule out adenovirus in these cases,’ the agency said.
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