The number of children in the UK who are suffering from severe hepatitis has risen to over 100.
The UK Health Security Agency said there was an increase of 34 cases, but that most children have recovered and no children have died. There has been no increase in the number of children who need a transplant.
The majority of cases have been found to have a link to adenoviruses, but scientists are still investigating the cause. Scientists are looking into whether a co-infection, including with Covid-19, or non-infectious causes such as food poisoning, drug or metal exposure, could be playing a role in the side-effect of adenoviruses.
Asia and Canada have been affected by the mystery hepatitis outbreak.
Increased susceptibility due to reduced exposure could be playing a role, or if there has been a change in the genome of the adenoviruses.
The director of clinical and emerging infections at the agency said that this may be a troubling time for parents of young children. The chances of your child developing a disease are very low. If you notice a yellow tint in the whites of your eyes, you should contact your doctor.
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The surge seemed likely to be related to the Pandemic and the group had found a medical, according to Prof Deirdre Kelly.
She said that the higher number of cases seen in the UK was likely due to a better reporting system. Milder cases could be picked up quickly in the UK.
Children should not return to school or nursery until 48 hours after they have stopped vomiting and diarrhoea.
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