Mystery liver disease kills three more children after "unexpected significant increase" in cases reported
CBSSep 09, 2022
Kids Hepatitis Outbreak: 25 New UK Cases; ~650 Total Infections Worldwide
story
Image copyright:Â Reuters [via Wall Street Journal]
The Facts
The mysterious children's hepatitis outbreak continues to spread worldwide, with another 25 cases identified in the UK, bringing that country's total to 222.
On Fri., the WHO reported 650 probable global cases across 33 countries, with 99 additional cases pending classification. There have been at least nine fatalities associated with the outbreak.
The Spin
Right narrative
We can thank COVID lockdowns for possibly playing a role in this new public health crisis. The endless cycle of lockdowns may have weakened children's immunity and left them at risk of the adenovirus. Enforced social isolation has consequences.
Left narrative
There are a lot of question marks here and we can't jump to conclusions. The adenovirus hasn't been confirmed as the smoking gun and, while COVID is unlikely the sole culprit, the fact that some kids with hepatitis were also COVID positive is a dangerous development that needs further study.
