The World Health Organisation (WHO) is closely monitoring growing cases of hepatitis among young children in the UK, which has seen six youngsters needing liver transplants.
The medical watchdog was told about 10 cases of severe acute hepatitis in youngsters in Scotland on April 5. Three days later the organisation said it had been notified about 74 cases across the UK.
It warned more cases were likely to be reported in the coming days.
As of April 11 no death has been reported among these cases and one epidemiologically linked case has been detected, it added.
Of the cases so far, the WHO said, six children have undergone liver transplantation and some children have been transferred to specialist liver units.
Dr Meera Chand, director of clinical and emerging infections at the UK Health Security Agency, said its officials were working across the four nations to “investigate a wide range of possible factors which may be causing children to be admitted to hospital with liver inflammation known as hepatitis.”
“One of the possible causes that we are investigating is that this is linked to adenovirus infection,” she said. “However, we are thoroughly investigating other potential causes.”
Among the possible explanations being investigated is whether or not Covid could have played a role in the spate of cases.
Officials stress that there is “no link” to Covid vaccines as none of the children affected have received one.
According to the WHO, lab tests have excluded the common viruses which normally cause hepatitis in these cases, and further tests for additional infections, chemicals and toxins are under way.
Dr Chand advised that hygiene measures such as handwashing, “including supervising children, and respiratory hygiene” can help to reduce the spread of the infections being investigated.
“We are also calling on parents and guardians, to be alert to the signs of hepatitis, including jaundice, and to contact a healthcare professional if they are concerned,” she said.
Following identification in the UK, less than five cases have been reported in Ireland with further investigations ongoing.
Three cases of acute acute hepatitis of unknown cause have been reported in children in Spain.
There have been 49 cases in England, 13 in Scotland and 12 across both Wales and Northern Ireland, all of which have occurred since January.
