Parents urged to watch out for mystery hepatitis in kids as another 34 cases emerge

PARENTS have been urged to be on the look out for signs of hepatitis in kids as 34 more cases have been identified in the UK.

It brings the total number of infections in the country to 197.

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Over 450 children have come down with the condition since the outbreak started[/caption]

Of those cases, 11 children have received a liver transplant and none of the infected patients in the UK have died from the illness.

Globally over 450 kids have come down with condition since the mysterious outbreak started.

European officials said there have been 11 casualties, with it last week also being reported that a child had died in Ireland, bringing the grim toll to 12.

Three youngsters died last month in Indonesia, and another fatality in the US is believed to be linked to the outbreak.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO), last week said infections have been reported in 20 countries, with a further 13 investigating 70 additional incidences of the condition.

Investigations are continuing into the cause of the illness, and medics have said the main suggestion is still adenovirus.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said of the 197 cases in the UK – 116 had adenovirus detected.

In around 15 per cent of the patients, coronavirus has been detected, reflecting testing during the time of hospital admission.

It’s important to note that there is no link to the coronavirus vaccine and the rise in hepatitis cases.

Most children to have tested for hepatitis have been under the age of five and therefore have not had the vaccine.

Dr Renu Bindra, Senior Medical Advisor at UKHSA, said: “It’s important that parents know the likelihood of their child developing hepatitis is extremely low.

“However, we continue to remind everyone to be alert to the signs of hepatitis – particularly jaundice, look for a yellow tinge in the whites of the eyes – and contact your doctor if you are concerned.

“Our investigations continue to suggest that there is an association with adenovirus infection, but investigations continue to unpick the exact reason for the rise in cases.”

In the US, doctors have now been advised to take liver samples from the sickest hepatitis cases.

Medics at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said these should be taken, as well as stool, throat and blood samples to check for adenovirus.

A previous UKHSA technical briefing had looked into the possibility of there being a link to hepatitis and household pets.

Official data shows that 163 children in the UK have contracted the illness, with 11 needing a liver transplant.

However, medics earlier this week said that this line of enquiry had not been strong.