A new outbreak of hepatitis among children across Britain may be linked to the Covid lockdown - as health chiefs listed the nine most common symptoms parents should not ignore.
At least 169 cases have been reported around the world, with the majority - 114 - reported in the UK. One child has died and 17 more have needed urgent liver transplants.
UK health officials believe a surge in cases may be as a product of pandemic measures, which stopped children in their 'formative' years being exposed to common infections.
The UK Heath Security Agency has today published a detailed Technical Briefing on the investigations into a rise in cases, with majority of cases have been found in under-5s.
They say there is no known link to the Covid vaccines and mums and dads should look out for a yellowing of the white part of the child's eyes or skin, dark urine and pale or grey-coloured faeces.
Has your child been hit by the hepatitis outbreak? Email webnews@mirror.co.uk
Routine data show there is a marked increase in general, particular in the 1-4 age group.
The UK Heath Security Agency said: "The UKHSA, working with Public Health Scotland, Public Health Wales and the Public Health Agency, are continuing to investigate the cases in children aged 10 and under that have occurred since January 2022.
"The usual viruses that cause infectious hepatitis (hepatitis A to E) have not been detected. The cases are predominantly in under 5’s who showed initial symptoms of gastroenteritis illness (diarrhoea and nausea) followed by the onset of jaundice.
"Active case finding investigations have identified a further 3 confirmed cases since the last update on 21 April, bringing the total number of cases to 111. Of the confirmed cases, 81 are resident in England, 14 are in Scotland, 11 are in Wales and 5 are in Northern Ireland.
"Of these cases, 10 children have received a liver transplant. No UK cases have died. A small number of children over the age of ten are being investigated.
"There is no link to the coronavirus vaccine. None of the currently confirmed cases in under 10 year olds in the UK are known to have been vaccinated.
"Information gathered through the investigations increasingly suggests that the rise in severe cases of hepatitis may be linked to adenovirus infection but other causes are still being actively investigated."
Dr Meera Chand, Director of Clinical and Emerging Infections at UKHSA, said younger children were getting infected by the virus because they had not been exposed to it 'during the formative stages that they've gone through during the pandemic'.
The medic said: “Information gathered through our investigations increasingly suggests that this rise in sudden onset hepatitis in children is linked to adenovirus infection. However, we are thoroughly investigating other potential causes.
“Parents and guardians should be alert to the signs of hepatitis (including jaundice) and to contact a healthcare professional if they are concerned.
"Normal hygiene measures such as thorough handwashing (including supervising children) and good thorough respiratory hygiene, help to reduce the spread of many common infections, including adenovirus.
"Children experiencing symptoms of a gastrointestinal infection including vomiting and diarrhoea should stay at home and not return to school or nursery until 48 hours after the symptoms have stopped.”
Hepatitis symptoms include:
- Yellowing of the white part of the eyes or skin (jaundice)
Dark urine and pale
Grey-coloured faeces
Itchy skin and joint pain
A high temperature
Feeling and being sick
Feeling unusually tired all the time
Loss of appetite
Tummy pain
