Hepatitis outbreak: 20 more children under 10 affected by mysterious new liver disease

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Another 20 children under the age of 10 were diagnosed with hepatitis.

It comes amid a wave of mysterious cases of liver inflammation in young children that experts believe could be linked to the adenovirus.

Adenoviruses cause a variety of illnesses, including colds, sore throats, vomiting, and fevers.

The UK has registered 222 cases of hepatitis in children under the age of 10 between the beginning of this year and 25 May.

Most of the patients were under five years old and showed signs of gastroenteritis, followed by the onset of jaundice.

Symptoms of gastroenteritis include diarrhea and nausea.

No children have died in the UK during the mysterious spate of hepatitis cases.

dr Renu Bindra, Senior Medical Advisor and Incident Director at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said: “Our research continues to suggest an association with adenovirus and we are investigating this association along with other possible factors including previous infections such as: as COVID.

“We are working with other countries that are also seeing new cases to share information and learn more about these infections.

“The probability of children contracting hepatitis remains extremely low.

“Maintaining normal hygiene practices, including ensuring children wash their hands properly on a regular basis, helps reduce the spread of many common infections, including adenovirus.

“We continue to remind everyone to look out for the signs of hepatitis — especially jaundice, look for a yellow cast in the whites of the eyes — and contact your doctor if you’re concerned.”

The UKHSA stressed there was no evidence linking the new cases to the Covid vaccine.

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