Alarm has meant to EODY as 11 toddlers hosted on kindergarten in Thessaloniki, showed increased troponin, of which one 3.5 years old died from acute myocarditis due to it Parvovirus B19.

Two months ago, the Organization was informed by nursing institutions in Central Macedonia that children aged 3 to 11 years old presented elevated troponin, of which one manifested a clinical picture of acute myocarditis and ended.

According to information from EODY, the death of the 3.5-year-old child occurred about two months ago and the indications so far conclude that it was co-infection of parvovirus with adenovirus that caused myocarditis.

Also a child presented myopericarditis and hospitalized, two were asymptomatic but presented with pericardial fluid while the rest were symptomatic with normal cardiac function.

The EODY recommended the closure of the school unit for two weeks, at the same time giving instructions for the cleaning and disinfection of the premises.

In his statement, he also notes that the role of co-infection with Parvovirus B 19 and other viruses in the myocarditis that the children experienced, which may have occurred in the case of the child who died, is being investigated.

Vigilance required – Special attention to pregnant women

EODY emphasizes that the vigilance of health professionals, especially obstetricians – gynecologists, neonatologists, pediatricians, haematologists, general practitioners and pathologists, is imperative, the increased clinical suspicion and the timely laboratory confirmation of suspected cases, especially in cases of confluence, for the protection of sickly high-risk individuals, such as pregnant women and young children.

In particular, it is recommended pediatricians take into account the possibility of myocarditis occurring two weeks after ParvovirusB19 infection.

Studies have shown that pregnant women can be infected with the virus at a rate of up to 30% – 40%.

The pregnant they are usually infected through household or occupational exposure and should be aware of the risk of being infected by children or adults with fifth disease infection.

Pregnant women with high-risk professions (eg workers in the health sector, daycare centers, teachers, etc.) are at particular risk.

Infection in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy can lead to a serious adverse outcome for the fetus, such as hydrops fetalis and intrauterine death in up to 10% of cases. It is noted that up to 20% of Parvovirus infections are asymptomatic and exposure may not be apparent.

As reported by EODY, two thirds of the adult population are expected to be immune to Parvovirus due to a previous infection that often occurs during childhood.

Fluxes of cases are recorded sporadically and local epidemics occur every four to ten years.