Global health officials have launched an investigation into an international hepatitis outbreak which has left six children needing liver transplants in the UK.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) was notified of 10 cases of severe acute hepatitis in children in Scotland on April 5.
A total of 74 cases have now been reported across the UK with many others reported around the world, including the USA.
Three Scottish children with severe hepatitis had to be taken to specialist units in England. One received a liver transplant.
Dr Meera Chand, the director of clinical and emerging infections at the UK Health Security Agency, said officials were working across the four nations to find the outbreak’s cause.
Dr Jim McMenamin from Public Health Scotland said: “Along with colleagues in other parts of the UK, several lines of investigation are ongoing.
“In a number of cases, adenovirus and SARS-CoV2 have been detected so these links are currently being investigated. Parents should contact their GP or other healthcare professional if they notice signs of jaundice in their child. This can be a yellow tinge in the whites of their eyes or on their skin.
“Other symptoms include dark urine, pale grey coloured poo, itchy skin, muscle and joint pains, tiredness, feeling sick, a high temperature, loss of appetite and stomach pain.”
Enjoy the convenience of having The Sunday Post delivered as a digital ePaper straight to your smartphone, tablet or computer.
Subscribe for only £5.49 a month and enjoy all the benefits of the printed paper as a digital replica.
Subscribe