Children diagnosed with a mysterious hepatitis of “unknown origin”.

Origin: The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is investigating a “small number” of suspected cases among children over the age of ten, bringing the total number of cases of the deadly liver condition to 176.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 350 probable cases have been identified in 21 countries.

It comes after a confirmed death from the sickness in Ireland raised the global death toll to nine.

So far, five have been reported in the United States, three in Indonesia, and none in the United Kingdom.

Last Monday, the WHO reported that at least 26 children needed liver transplants as a result of the virus.

Experts are concerned that the new incidents are just the tip of the iceberg, owing to lax surveillance in some countries.

Scientists say they don’t know what’s causing the rapid increase in hepatitis cases, and they’re still looking into the symptoms.

Infection with the common hepatitis types A-E has already been ruled out as a factor.

Adenovirus, a common virus that can cause stomach problems, sore throats, and ear infections, is being studied attentively.

Since the first case was reported in April in Scotland, the WHO identified 348 probable cases of hepatitis of unknown origin.

As many of the children tested positive for adenovirus, all of the cases are among children aged 11 months to five years.

Some of individuals who tested negative didn’t have a blood sample, which is the most reliable way to detect an adenovirus infection, according to the UKHSA.

However, because hepatitis following adenovirus infection in previously healthy youngsters is uncommon, investigators are looking into other possible causes, according to the UKHSA.

Previous Covid infection or a modification in the adenovirus genome are two examples.

The UKHSA previously stated that the great majority of incidents occur in children under the age of five.