Global toll of mysterious hepatitis in children rises to 650 casesMay 28, 2022 - 14:39 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The World Health Organization reported Friday that there are at least 650 cases of sudden and unexplained hepatitis in young children under investigation in 33 countries, an increase of about 36 cases over the last international update, about a week ago. Another 99 cases are awaiting classification, CNN reports. Last week, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control reported a total of 614 cases under investigation in 30 countries. About one-third of the cases, 222, are in the UK, and another 216 have been reported in the US, WHO reported Friday. Most of the children in the international investigation got sick in March and April, according to the update. Before this outbreak, about half of cases of sudden hepatitis — or inflammation of the liver -- in young children could not be tied to a known cause. But WHO says the cases being investigated now seem to be different from anything doctors have seen before. The hepatitis comes on quickly and appears to be more clinically severe, with a higher proportion of children developing liver failure. Of a subset of 156 cases with data on hospital admission, about 14% required intensive care, and 12% needed a liver transplant. WHO says it's not clear whether these are a greater number of cases of sudden hepatitis than doctors would normally expect to see over the same period of time. Most of the affected children -- 75% -- are young, under the age of 5. Most were healthy before they fell ill. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Armenia, U.S. customs authorities to boost assistance with new deal The government has approved an agreement with the U.S. government on mutual assistance between the customs authorities. Armenia-Azerbaijan: Turkey wants deal after “positive developments” Turkey hopes “positive developments” in negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan will lead to an agreement. Police try to impede Armenian Church head’s access to war memorial Police tried to stop the supreme head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Catholicos Karekin II, from visiting a war memorial. Greece says ready to help as Armenia fights flooding consequences Greece is ready to assist Armenia in combatting the consequences of deadly floods in the country’s north. |