There is no known association with travel. There is no clear connection between reported cases and no obvious epidemiological risk factors have been identified.
Laboratory testing for additional infections, chemicals and toxins is underway. However, other possible causes are also being investigated, including coronavirus (COVID-19) or environmental sources. I would also encourage parents and others taking care of young children to be vigilant about hand and general hygiene.”Ī group of viruses called adenoviruses may be behind the illnesses. Other symptoms include dark urine, pale grey colored poo, itchy skin, muscle and joint pains, tiredness, feeling sick, a high temperature, loss of appetite and stomach pain. “This can be a yellow tinge in the whites of their eyes or on their skin.
Parents should contact their GP or other healthcare professional if they notice signs of jaundice in their child,” he said.
“In a number of cases, adenovirus and SARS-CoV2 have been detected, so these links are currently being investigated. Jim McMenamin, from Public Health Scotland, said several lines of investigation are ongoing. None of the UK confirmed cases were vaccinated against COVID-19.ĭr. Six children have had liver transplants but no deaths have been reported. Hepatitis viruses (A, B, C, D, and E) have been excluded after laboratory testing. More detail about the cluster of cases of severe hepatitis of unknown origin in Scotland has been published in the journal Eurosurveillance.Īt least 74 cases have been identified in the United Kingdom. Toxicology analyses are ongoing although responses to the enhanced investigation questionnaire about food, drink and personal care habits have not yet identified any common exposures. Initial hypotheses in Scotland included either an infectious pathogen or a toxic exposure to food, drinks or toys popular with younger children. The WHO warned it was “very likely” that more cases would be detected before the cause has been found and control and prevention measures taken. All 10 patients’ hepatitis infections were detected when hospitalized. Symptoms included jaundice, diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Nine had onset of symptoms in March while the other fell ill in January. The World Health Organization (WHO) said it was informed in early April of 10 cases of severe acute hepatitis in children younger than 10 in Scotland. CDC is developing a national health advisory looking for clinically similar cases or associated with adenovirus infection in other states and is discussing the incident with international colleagues.
The Alabama public health agency issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) notification on Feb. Hepatitis can also be spread through contaminated food and beverages. Adenoviruses do not usually cause hepatitis but it is a known rare complication. Further analyses revealed a possible association with Adenovirus 41. These children had symptoms of a gastrointestinal illness and varying degrees of liver injury including failure. Since November 2021, the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are probing illnesses of nine children less than 10 years old. The United States and several other countries are investigating an increase of hepatitis infections in young children.