Are pet dogs behind outbreak of hepatitis?

PET dogs may be the cause of the mysterious hepatitis outbreak affecting children across the world, according to health officials.

Seven in ten parents of children who became ill reported owning a pet dog or the child being exposed to a dog, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said, adding that ‘the significance of this finding is being explored’.

As of May 3, the UK has seen 163 children diagnosed with sudden-onset hepatitis, among whom 11 have needed a liver transplant and will be on powerful immunosuppressant drugs for the rest of their lives.

Many cases have involved children under the age of five, but no children in the UK have died. Lockdown and social distancing have been discussed as possible causes of the surge in cases, if, as suspected, it turns out to be caused by a group of common viruses called adenoviruses.

These normally cause mild illnesses such as colds and diarrhoea but can lead to hepatitis in rare cases.

Experts believe a lack of exposure to these viruses due to lockdowns may have reduced children’s immunity, making them more severely ill now restrictions have been lifted.

The UKHSA said 64 out of 92 responses from families described children having contact with dogs, but noted dog ownership was common in the UK and the link with hepatitis could be down to chance, while contact between children and dogs may have been fleeting.

Dr Meera Chand, of UKHSA, said: ‘It’s important that parents know the likelihood of their child developing hepatitis is extremely low.

‘However, we continue to remind everyone to be alert to the signs of hepatitis – particularly jaundice. Look for a yellow tinge in the whites of the eyes. Our investigations continue to suggest an association with adenovirus and our studies are now testing this association.’