Can Dogs Cause Severe Hepatitis in Children? Here's What Experts Say About It

May is Hepatitis Awareness Month and global health agencies are raising awareness and encouraging increased screening and vaccination, especially as the severe hepatitis cases in children are increasing.

Health authorities are exploring the possible links between dogs and the recent spike in cases first observed in children in the UK, with over 160 cases in the current outbreak. As of now, its origin is still unclear and the link between pet dogs and severe hepatitis in children is not well established due to a lack of evidence.

Dog Exposure Linked to Severe Hepatitis in Children

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reported that family questionnaires had shown high numbers of dog-owning families and dog exposures among those with hepatitis. About 70% or 64 out of 92 have mentioned dog exposure. UKHSA currently explores the significance of this finding, noting that it could also be coincidental because dog ownership is common in the country.

The spike in hepatitis cases in children was first recorded in the UK and has also been noticed in other parts of Europe, Asia, and the Americas. The recent briefing paper from the UKHSA reported a high number of dog exposures in cases of severe childhood hepatitis. It also suggests that children are commonly exposed to dogs without owning one.

However, until enough evidence is established, an association between dog exposure to hepatitis patients will remain speculation. There is a strong probability that answers to one or more questions may seem to link the cases if there are too many questions asked in the questionnaire, Yahoo! News reported.

So, what could be the possible causes of the spike in severe hepatitis in children? For now, the distribution of cases does not suggest that this is a novel virus transmitted from dogs to humans.

Immune System Dysfunction Due to COVID-19 Could Have Caused Hepatitis in Children

According to Sky News, the lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic could be a factor in the rise of severe hepatitis in children. Due to the lockdown, children are not exposed to usual common infections when there is no lockdown. Experts also suggest that immune system dysfunction could either mean that it has reacted strongly or not strongly enough towards an infection.

Since the public has been advised to regularly wash their hands and practice social distancing, it has reduced the transmission not only of COVID-19 but a whole range of diseases. Unfortunately, the lack of exposure to them may have left other children unprepared for infections that usually are not a problem.

Lastly, some also suggested that precious OCID-19 infections may predispose some kids to hepatitis. But no matter what the case is, the UKHSA reminds the public to be aware of the signs of hepatitis, particularly jaundice.

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