Hepatitis cases rise

MORE than 160 children have now been identified with sudden onset hepatitis in the UK, of whom 11 have needed a liver transplant.

The UK Health Security Agency has flagged up an extra 18 cases as of May 3 (compared to April 29), bringing the UK total to 163. None have died.

The World Health Organisation said there were almost 300 probable cases of children with severe hepatitis detected in 20 countries worldwide. In samples adenovirus is the most detected virus.