Three more children in the UK have come down with a mystery form of hepatitis and two more have required a liver transplant.
The UK Health Security announced cases of the liver inflammation among the children all aged under 10 has risen to 111 up until April 20. Of these 10 have received a liver transplant.
Most children are aged under five and their condition started with sickness and diarrhoea followed by jaundice.
It comes a day after the World Health Organisation said a child had died from the condition.
Experts suspect a virus and have not ruled out Covid-19.
However the prime suspect is are a family of common viruses called adenoviruses that usually cause a range of mild illnesses including colds, vomiting and diarrhoea. Most people recover without complications.
Some experts believe more cases are out there undetected and that children’s weakened immune systems following repeat lockdowns could be a factor.
Dr Meera Chand, infections director at UKHSA, 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 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 dark urine, grey-coloured poo, itchy skin, jaundice, high temperature, vomiting, loss of appetite, muscle and joint pain.
It is usually caused by viruses hepatitis A to E but in these cases the children were found not to have had any so the cause is still unknown.
