At least one child has died after an increase in hepatitis, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.
The number of cases of unknown origin in children now stands at 169, reported in 12 countries – including the United Kingdom, the United States, Spain, Israel and Ireland – among young people aged one month to 16 years.
The United Kingdom reported 114 of the cases.
The WHO did not give details of the death and did not say where it occurred.
One potential line of investigation is whether a group of viruses called adenoviruses can cause disease.
The common cold virus, known as adenovirus, has been detected in at least 74 cases. COVID-19 infection was identified in 20 cases and 19 cases with both viruses. It has nothing to do with coronavirus damage, UK officials said.
The latest data comes when health authorities around the world are investigating a mysterious increase in severe cases of hepatitis in young children.
“Mild hepatitis is very common in children after a number of viral infections, but what is happening now is very different,” said Graham Cook, a professor of infectious diseases at Imperial College London, earlier this week.
The girl who has only hours of life, as rare cases increase in children
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3:46 The girl who only has hours of life
Some cases in the UK require specialized care in the liver and at least six patients need a liver transplant.
In the UK, parents are urged to be vigilant about the signs of the disease, which in some cases can cause scarring of the liver or loss of liver function.
Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin), dark urine, itchy skin, muscle and joint pain, loss of appetite and fever are among the symptoms of hepatitis.
U.S. health officials have issued a nationwide warning warning doctors to watch out for symptoms of pediatric hepatitis.
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