As mysterious severe hepatitis cases in children surface around the world, Chief Medical Officer Deena Hinshaw said Alberta’s front-line physicians are receiving information on the topic..“I would like to address questions we have received about cases of severe hepatitis, or liver inflammation, in children that have been reported in several countries around the world,” said Hinshaw in her Twitter thread on Wednesday evening..“Roughly 170 cases have been reported in Europe and the U.S. Unfortunately, about 17 required a liver transplant and one has died,” said Hinshaw..Cases have been identified in Canada but the numbers are not public, Hinshaw said none have been found in Alberta..Her message to Albertans is public health is aware of the issue and parents should keep following infectious disease guidelines..“The same things we have been doing as parents over the last two years are still valuable, such as reminding our kids to clean their hands regularly and encouraging everyone in our circles to stay home when sick,” said Hinshaw..Hinshaw highlighted how cases are being found in people who have previously had Adenovirus, a common cold, but did not mention the World Health Organization (WHO) also identified cases in those who previously had COVID-19..“There are many causes for hepatitis, but in these cases the most common causes have been ruled out and it is not clear what led to the condition,” said Hinshaw..Her comments follow the Public Health Agency of Canada issuing statements saying it is “aware of reports of severe acute hepatitis of unknown origin in young children in Canada.”.The WHO has called on public health agencies to collect data to add to ongoing investigations..The largest saturation of cases has been in the UK, with 144 children identified with severe hepatitis..The UK Health Security Agency announced the last few years of isolation and social distancing caused a lack of exposure that may be contributing to children being more susceptible to viruses..Ewa Sudyk is a reporter with the Western Standard.,esudyk@westernstandard.news,.twitter.com/EwaSudyk
