WHO monitors hepatitis of unknown origin in UK children

The World Health Organization yesterday said it was monitoring cases of hepatitis of unknown origin in dozens of children in Britain, some of whom required a liver transplant.

Britain initially reported 10 cases of severe acute hepatitis in Scotland to WHO on April 5, before reporting a total of 74 cases across the country three days later, the UN agency said.

WHO expects more cases to be reported in the coming days.

Some of the cases were so severe that patients had to be transferred to specialist children's liver units, while six children had liver transplants, WHO said in a statement.

"Less than five confirmed or possible" cases were reported in Ireland, and three confirmed cases in Spain. No deaths have been recorded.