The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said last week it is investigating more than 100 mysterious hepatitis cases among children in at least 25 states. Most of the children have been hospitalized, and five deaths have been reported so far.
The CDC has issued a health advisory to doctors and clinics so that officials can be aware of symptoms and investigate them accordingly. In mid-April, the agency first said that it was investigating nine cases in Alabama, meaning that last week’s announcement represents a significant uptick in cases.
The cause of the hepatitis, or liver inflammation, cases is not clear but might be associated with a type of adenovirus, a CDC official said on May 6. However, that hypothesis is still being investigated, the agency said. CDC officials and authorities in other countries have said they do not believe the hepatitis is being caused by COVID-19 or COVID-19 vaccines as most of the affected children haven’t received the shot.
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