Massachusetts Children Infected With Severe Hepatitis: What To Know

MASSACHUSETTS — Massachusetts has confirmed at least two cases of severe hepatitis — or inflammation of the liver — among previously healthy young children. Cases have also been reported across 10 other states.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are investigating two known cases in the Commonwealth, but both children have tested negative for adenovirus infection.

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver often caused by a viral infection, but environmental factors can also contribute to the illness.

On Friday, the CDC issued a warning to doctors across the country of severe hepatitis in children, which resulted in the death of five children. Over 109 cases of severe hepatitis were reported Friday, compared to the 11 cases reported the week before.

Of those 109 cases Friday, a majority were hospitalized, and eight required a liver transplant.

Only two cases have been reported in Massachusetts, but local health officials are urging parents and guardians to take general measures to prevent infection and illness, such as good hand hygiene, covering coughs and sneezes, and keeping children home from school or childcare while they are sick, officials said.

The 10 other states reporting this type of pediatric liver inflammation are Alabama, California, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee and Wisconsin, where one child died.

Some 200 children, ranging in age from 1 month to 16 years, have suddenly become ill with severe hepatitis. Most cases are in Europe, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a nationwide health alert late last month urging pediatricians to test children for adenovirus infections.

The presence of an adenovirus infection among patients with hepatitis is a common link in outbreaks that have so far flummoxed both U.S. and European health officials, but CDC officials said they don't know yet if adenovirus is the actual cause.

No additional details are currently being released.