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Unexplained hepatitis cases rise to 348 worldwide as WHO examines role of COVID

Unexplained hepatitis cases rise to 348 worldwide as WHO examines role of COVID

Cases of unexplained hepatitis have risen to at least 348 globally, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), which is now examining the possible role played by adenovirus and COVID-19 infection.

Most cases have been reported in the UK, which has seen "around 163" and was the first country to raise the alarm, reporting 10 cases of severe hepatitis in Scotland on 5 April, to children under 10 years of age.

The United States has now also reported more than 100 cases.

What can cause these cases of hepatitis?

Hepatitis, inflammation of the liver, is often contracted through the hepatitis virus, of which there are five main types: A, B, C, D and E.

These new cases are mysterious because testing has shown no signs of these types of virus.

Currently the main hypotheses remain those involving an adenovirus, but it is also considered important for the role of COVID, either as a co-infection or as a past infection.

Inflammation of the liver can affect liver function and the disease can vary in severity depending on the cause.

Health authorities in the US said they were investigating 109 mysterious cases, which included five deaths. Three children have died in Indonesia.

A small number of children have also undergone liver transplants as a result of hepatitis.