Severe Hepatitis In Children: 9 Possible Cases In Illinois

ILLINOIS — Authorities are investigating nine possible cases of severe hepatitis in Illinois children this year, up from three last month, according to state health officials.

Nationwide, there have been a total of 180 pediatric patients under investigation for hepatitis over the past seven months. The Illinois cases — all of which affected children under 10 — spanned the state, with five in northern Illinois, two in the west of the state, and one each in the central and southern areas. All the Illinois children were hospitalized and one needed a liver transplant. No deaths were reported.

Two-thirds of the Illinois patients tested positive for adenovirus, a common virus that typically causes cold- or flu-like illness, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. The cases appear to have an association with adenovirus 41, which does not typically cause hepatitis in healthy children.

“At this time, CDC said it believes adenovirus may be the cause for these reported cases, but investigators are still learning more – including ruling out other possible causes and identifying other possible contributing factors,” the Illinois Department of Public Health said in an update Wednesday.

Symptoms of hepatitis, or inflammation of the liver, can be caused by viruses and include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, light-colored stools, joint pain and jaundice, the health department said, citing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Adenovirus 41 typically presents as diarrhea, vomiting and fever, and is often accompanied by respiratory symptoms.

The state health department is asking medical professionals to watch for symptoms and report suspected pediatric hepatitis cases of unknown origin to local public health authorities. Children’s caregivers are encouraged to be aware of the symptoms, contact their healthcare provider with any concerns, and keep children up to date on all vaccinations.

For more information, visit the CDC website.