Scientists on outbreak of an unknown virus affecting children's liver

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a new virus affecting the liver among children, Reuters reports.

According to its data, it is already known about 228 patients in 20 countries, one child has died, and about one in ten needed an organ transplant.

The first reports of the disease appeared in Scotland. The infection affects children between the ages of one month and 16 years, the vast majority being younger than ten. The main symptoms are abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea with little or no fever.

Then patients show typical signs of hepatitis — yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, dark urine, light stools, and pain in muscles and joints.

According to scientists, the new virus may be related to the coronavirus pandemic.