More than 17 cases of acute hepatitis in children have now been identified in Wales. Public Health Wales is working with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) as well as Public Health Scotland (PHS) and Public Health Agency (Northern Ireland) to investigate cases across the UK.
Investigations have identified 17 cases in Wales, an increase of four cases since the last update on May 6. Read all you need to know about the possible cause here.
A number of hypotheses are being investigated and the information gathered so far increasingly suggests that the rise in these cases may be linked to adenovirus infection, with other factors likely to be playing a role. Dr Ardiana Gjini, consultant in communicable disease control for Public Health Wales, said: "Hepatitis can cause jaundice and inflammation of the liver, so parents and carers should be aware of the symptoms of jaundice – including skin with a yellow tinge which is most easily seen in the whites of the eyes. We are reminding the public to familiarise themselves with this and other symptoms of hepatitis in light of these UK cases.
