Health officials investigating a hepatitis outbreak among young children have confirmed that the number of cases in Scotland has risen to 13.
All of the children affected were admitted to hospitals, where medics picked up on their illness - but the source has yet to be determined despite ongoing investigations.
The UK Health Security Agency said it is examining 74 cases across the UK, with 49 in England and 12 each in both Wales and Northern Ireland.
The UKHSA said that it is investigating a “number” of possible causes behind the spike in cases.
One potential line of inquiry is whether or not a group of viruses called adenoviruses may be causing the illnesses.
Other possible explanations are also being investigated, including whether or not Covid-19 could have played a role in the spate of cases.
But officials stressed that there is “no link” to Covid-19 jabs as none of the children affected have received a Covid-19 vaccine.
Public Health Scotland previously confirmed cases affecting children between the ages of one and five in the Fife, Lanarkshire, Tayside and Greater Glasgow and Clyde health-board areas.
Dr Meera Chand, director of clinical and emerging infections at the UKHSA, urged parents to be alert to the signs of hepatitis amid the rise in cases.
She said in a statement: “We are working swiftly with the NHS and public health colleagues in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland 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.
“However, we are thoroughly investigating other potential causes.
“Normal hygiene measures such as good hand-washing, including supervising children, and respiratory hygiene, help to reduce the spread of many of the infections that we are investigating.
“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.”
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