### Ten Newborn Babies Testing Positive for Enterovirus Found to Have Myocarditis Between June and April in UK

Key Highlights :

1. A baby has died and seven others were left requiring intensive care after a “usually mild” virus appeared to trigger a serious heart condition.

2. Enteroviruses are common and often asymptomatic, but they are known to cause “occasional outbreaks in which an unusually high proportion of patients develop clinical disease, sometimes with serious and fatal consequences – in this instance myocarditis”.

3. The 10 months to April saw 10 cases of myocarditis in babies under the age of 28 days who tested positive for enterovirus, according to the WHO.

4. Seven of the babies were treated in intensive care, and one died before they could receive specialist treatment.

5. The bereaved parents were told Elijah’s death would not form part of the wider probe set to focus on June 2022 to April 2023 to coincide with the enterovirus season.

     In recent months, health officials have been investigating an “unusual” increase in myocarditis – inflammation of the heart – among newborns in south Wales infected with an enterovirus. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that while enteroviruses are common and often asymptomatic, they can cause outbreaks with serious and fatal consequences.

     Between June 2022 and April 2023, 10 babies under 28 days of age tested positive for enterovirus and were diagnosed with myocarditis. One of the babies died before they could receive specialist treatment, while seven others required intensive care. Joann and Christian Edwards, whose 12-day-old son Elijah died in those circumstances on 9 March last year, said they were told that their baby’s death was “a one off” and a “very unlucky case”.

     In addition, five cases have been identified over the same period in the Southwest of England, but no additional information is currently available. Paediatricians in south Wales were alerted about the recent cases in February, and were told to be aware of myocarditis as a potential cause of infants and newborns presenting in shock.

     Enteroviruses can cause mild to moderate respiratory tract infections, with symptoms including fever, runny nose and body weakness. As there is no vaccine for this virus, control measures during outbreaks are focused on classical hygiene measures including frequent handwashing and disinfection of soiled clothing and surfaces.

     Dr Shamez Ladhani, a consultant paediatrician at the UK Health Security Agency, said that enterovirus “is a common infection of childhood, causing a range of symptoms including respiratory disease; hand, foot and mouth, and viral meningitis”.

     UKHSA is investigating the situation in England to see if any similar cases have been observed here and whether there are any factors driving the increase in cases. While the public health risk for the general population is believed to be low, it is important to be aware of the potential risks associated with enterovirus infection in newborns.

Continue Reading at Source : independentuk