The Centers for Disease Control has issued a “National Health Alert” after a cluster of children in Alabama were diagnosed with Hepatitis and Adenovirus.  The CDC is now working with the Alabama Department of Public Health to investigate a total of nine cases of hepatitis of unknown origin in children ages one through six; all the children were previously healthy.

The first U.S cases were identified in October of 2021 in Alabama – with five children experiencing significant liver injury including some with acute liver failure; they also tested positive for adenovirus – which is common, and typically causes a mild flu-like or gastrointestinal illness.

Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C viruses were ruled out, according to the CDC.

A later review showed four additional cases – and all had liver injury and adenovirus infections; no link among the children was found and the statewide alert sent back in February hasn’t yielded any additional cases.

None of the patients died but two did require liver transplants.

(AL.COM/www.al.com)