15 children – 10 in Wales and five in England – were found to have myocarditis.
A child has died and seven others have been hospitalized after an “unusual” cluster of heart infections was detected in south Wales and south-west England, according to a report. Independent, The outlet further stated that the virus is “unusually mild” but produces serious heart conditions. The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday that it had been informed about an increase in myocarditis – also known as inflammation of the heart – in newborns in the region over the past year.
Wire said 15 children – 10 in Wales and five in England – were found with myocarditis. Nine of them tested positive for enterovirus, which causes respiratory illness, hand, foot and mouth disease and viral meningitis.
According to the WHO, it is very rare for young children to develop myocarditis. The health body also said that despite these cases, the risk to public health remains low.
“The reported incidence represents an increase in both the number and severity of enterovirus infections among infants less than one month of age,” the health body said in Tuesday’s announcement.
The Telegraph quoted the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) as saying that a “higher than average number of cases” of enterovirus had been seen in “very young children” in the autumn and winter months in Wales.
Dr Shameez Ladhani, consultant paediatrician, UKHSA, said: “We are investigating the situation in England to see if similar cases are seen here and whether there are any factors contributing to the increase in cases.”
Pediatricians in the South Wales region were alerted to the recent cases in February, and were told to be aware of myocarditis, a possible cause of infants and newborns presenting in shock. .