There has been a mystery spike in hepatitis cases among children in the EU that has seen six kids needing liver transplants, according to the World Health Organisation.
The first cases of the illness were reported in the UK back in January, and since then, they have reported more than 74 cases.
After observing the cases, health officials have said they are looking to other virus mutations and environmental factors because the usual viruses that cause hepatitis were not found.
READ MORE: Mystery hepatitis outbreak spreads from Britain to Ireland, EU and US as more kids affected
On Tuesday, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said more cases had now been identified in Ireland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Spain.
The WHO says that due to the increase in cases and surveillance, it is "very likely" that more cases will be reported before the cause of the outbreak is found.
According to New Scientist, doctors in the UK have been advised to watch out for children age under age 16 who have symptoms of hepatitis, which include:
- jaundice (a yellowish tinge to the skin)
- discoloration of the urine or faeces
- itchy skin
- Fever
- Nausea
- abdominal pain
Hopkins Medicine says, in order to diagnose hepatitis, you need:
- Physical exam, which may or may not reveal a swollen, enlarged liver
- Blood tests to check liver enzymes that are elevated when the liver is damaged or infected, and to check for the presence of any of the five viruses causing hepatitis
- Ultrasound of the liver to detect any changes
- Liver biopsy to confirm suspected inflammation
To prevent infection, children - or anyone who has not been previously vaccinated - should be vaccinated against hepatitis B and hepatitis A.
There are no vaccines against hepatitis types C, D and E, and there is no cure for hepatitis once it occurs.
Treatment focuses on preventing further damage to the liver, reversing existing damage if possible, and symptom relief.
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