It is still unclear what is behind a worrying surge in cases of liver disease among young children in several countries, but a lack of social mixing during lockdowns could be a factor
Health
28 April 2022
Illustration of adenoviruses KATERYNA KON/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/Getty Images
Doctors in the UK are investigating whether an adenovirus is behind an unexplained outbreak of liver disease in young children, as case numbers rise in countries including the UK, the US and Israel.
So far, there have been 169 identified cases of hepatitis, or liver inflammation, in 11 countries. Some have been quick to blame the outbreak on either covid-19, its vaccines or lockdowns. But in the UK, which has had the largest number of identified cases, doctors said on 25 April that the cause is still unknown. …
