In addition, nine cases of acute hepatitis among children between 1 and 6 years old in the state of Alabama in the United States who also tested positive for adenovirus have been reported.

Investigations are ongoing in all countries reporting cases. At present, the exact cause of hepatitis in these children remains unknown. The incident team in the United Kingdom, where most of the cases have occurred to date, consider that an infective cause is most likely based on the clinical and epidemiological features of the cases under investigation.

ECDC is working with teams in each of the countries reporting cases, along with WHO and other key partners to support the ongoing investigations. ECDC facilitates the sharing of information as it becomes available, as well as tools for investigations.

Over the past weekend, the agency continued sharing all available information with countries through its Hepatitis Network and with the clinical organisations the European Association for the Study of the Liver and the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases ESCMID.

ECDC will continue to monitor this event through its epidemic intelligence activities and liaise with Member States and international partners.

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