Massive rise in rare hepatitis infections in UK children as doctors explore Covid link

dailystar.co.uk:

children is being investigated, as doctors refuse to rule out Covid-19 as a cause. Officials are examining 49 cases in England, 13 in Scotland and 12 across Wales and Northern Ireland since just the start of the year, the BBC reported.

Experts said one potential cause of the liver condition could be adenoviruses, common viruses that cause a range of illness and usually cause cold-like symptoms.However, investigators are also looking at potential triggers including Covid-19, other infections or an environmental trigger.Dr Meera Chand, director of clinical and emerging infections at UKHSA, said officials were looking at a wide range of possible factors which could be causing children to be admitted to hospital with liver inflammation."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," she said.In relation to adenoviruses, hepatitis is not a common complication - but in rare cases a link has been found.

Dr Chand said parents should supervise good handwashing and hygiene at home, as well as keeping an eye out for possible symptoms in a bid to reduce the spread. To stay up to date with all the latest news, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here."We are calling on parents and guardians to be alert to the signs of hepatitis - including jaundice, or yellowing of the eyes and skin - and to contact a healthcare professional if they are concerned."The Covid vaccination is not to blame, the UKHSA said, because none of the children involved have been jabbed.