The World Health Organization (WHO) has studied dozens of cases of hepatitis of unknown origin affecting children over two months. The disease was first reported in the UK and has been detected in twenty countries, including Spain. The UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) is investigating a possible link between this condition and dogs. Apparently, he had observed that a large number of affected minors had these pets or had come into contact with dogs. Specifically, 70% (64 of 92 children).

UKHSA has published a report detailing that it is “exploring the significance of this finding”. However, they did not rule out the possibility that it might be a coincidence because so many families in the UK have pets.

The WHO has classified this health alarm as “a matter of extreme urgency.” “We give it absolute priority and we are working very closely with the European Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) on management and coordination,” said WHO Regional Emergency Director Gerald Rockenschaub.

In addition to this hypothesis, a possible association between this hepatitis and possible adenovirus infection, which has been found in more than 50% of patients, is also being investigated. The common viruses that cause acute viral hepatitis (hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E viruses) have not been detected in all cases, but adenovirus has been detected in at least 74 patients. In 18 cases, adenovirus F 41 was identified and in 20 cases SARS-CoV-2 was detected. And in 19 cases, SARS-CoV-2 and adenovirus coinfection was detected.