Health officials investigate 74 child hepatitis cases across the UK

Health officials are currently investigating a total of 74 cases of hepatitis – or liver inflammation – in children across the UK since the beginning of this year, 49 cases in England, 13 in Scotland and 12 across Northern Ireland and Wales.

 

They believe that the common adenovirus may be the cause, but have not ruled out Covid-19.

 

Dr Meera Chand, director of clinical and emerging infections at the UK Health Security Agency, said officials were looking at a wide range of possible factors which could be causing children to be admitted to hospital with the condition.

 

Dr Chand went on to say “One of the possible causes that we are investigating is that this is linked to adenovirus infection.  However, we are thoroughly investigating other possible causes.”

 

Other possible explanations being investigated include other infections, an environmental trigger, or Covid-19.

 

Dr Chand added “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.”

 

Professor Will Irving, virology expert from the University of Nottingham, said the current outbreak of cases in children under the age of 10 was “very unusual”, adding “In relation to viral hepatitis, infection in childhood very rarely causes clinical disease”, adding that it was often much worse if caught as an adult.

 

Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events.  Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.

 

If you believe that you or a relative may have been injured as a result of clinical/medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our medical negligence solicitors on the freephone number below.

 

Posted by Tony May, Partner/head of Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

 

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