Since the first alert launched by the United Kingdom (UK) on 5 April 2022, probable cases of hepatitis of unknown aetiology in children have been reported from several countries worldwide.
An increase in severe acute hepatitis cases of unknown aetiology among previously healthy children was first reported by the United Kingdom (UK) on 5 April 2022.
On 5 April 2022, an increase in acute hepatitis cases of unknown aetiology among previously healthy children aged under 10 years was reported by the United Kingdom (UK).
This document provides guidance on diagnostic testing, molecular characterisation and metagenomic analysis for suspect cases of severe acute hepatitis of unknown aetiology.
Since the last epidemiological update published on 11 May 2022, new cases of hepatitis of unknown aetiology among children aged 16 years and under have been reported worldwide.
Following the initial report of an increase of severe acute hepatitis cases of unknown aetiology among previously healthy children by the United Kingdom on 5 April 2022, and as of 20 April 2022, 111 cases, aged 10 and under have been identified in that country.
ECDC and the WHO Regional Office for Europe are publishing a joint surveillance bulletin on the current outbreak of hepatitis of unknown origin in children.
Following the reports of cases of acute hepatitis of unknown origin by the UK Health Security Agency, additional cases in children have been reported in Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Spain.
This issue of the ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) covers the the period 12-18 June 2022 and includes updates on West Nile virus infection, COVID-19, hepatitis, monkeypox, Mycobacterium chelonae in bioprosthetic heart valves and avian influenza.