Greece’s National Health Care organization EODY announced the death of a child from acute hepatitis on Wednesday afternoon. The victim was a baby just 13-months old. It is the first death of acute hepatitis recorded in the country.
EODY statement:
Today, the first death of a child was recorded in our country, linked to severe acute hepatitis of unknown etiology.
It is a 13-month-old child, who was admitted to a private pediatric clinic due to a two-day fever and lethargy.
From the tests carried out, liver failure and cerebral edema were found and despite the efforts of the doctors, the child unfortunately ended.
After the announcement of the increase in cases of acute hepatitis of unknown etiology in the United Kingdom, according to data from the World Health Organization, 920 similar cases have been recorded in 33 countries of the world.
Of the probable cases reported worldwide, 45 (5%) required liver transplantation and 18 (2%) resulted.
It is noted that in recent weeks there has been a steady decrease in incidents internationally.
To date, 11 other cases have been reported in Greece, which meet the criteria of a “probable case” of acute hepatitis of unknown etiology in children, according to the definition of the World Health Organization.
These cases did not require special treatment, did not present any complications and remain in excellent condition, EODY statement reportedly concluded.
The first confirmed cases of acute hepatitis appeared in the country in May 2022.
