Public health officials say they are investigating cases of severe liver disease “of unknown origin” among children in Canada as world scientists race to find out a mysterious hepatitis epidemic that has affected more than 160 children.
“The Public Health Agency of Canada is aware of reports of severe acute hepatitis of unknown origin in young children in Canada,” the department said in a statement Tuesday in response to questions from CBC News.
“They are being further investigated to determine whether they are related to cases in the United Kingdom and the United States. As the investigation progresses, we will keep the public up to date. “
The latest available data the World Health Organization shows that at least 169 cases of acute hepatitis of unknown origin have been reported in nearly a dozen countries, with the majority of reports – 114 – from the United Kingdom
The United States has identified a dozen or more cases, with cases of unexplained hepatitis in Spain, Israel, Denmark, Ireland, Italy, Norway, France, Romania, Belgium and the Netherlands.
Approximately 10% of affected children required a liver transplant and at least one child died.
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