The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has been informed in recent weeks of an increase in the number of hepatitis cases in the UK among children under 16.
These types of hepatitis are associated with elevated transaminases and often with jaundice and gastrointestinal symptoms.
The cause of this hepatitis is still unknown and investigations are ongoing.
The ECDC reports that liver viruses A, B, C, D and E have not been detected in the reported cases (60 cases in England, 10 in Scotland, none in Wales, but similar cases have been reported this year). Some sick children have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 but no association can be made at this time.
The Centre encourages doctors to report these specific cases of hepatitis. In the European Union and the European Economic Area, information on suspected cases can be reported on EpiPulse, the European online platform for infectious disease surveillance. (Original version in French by Émilie Vanderhulst)