WHO says over 900 probable cases of acute hepatitis reported in children - Reuters.com

June 24 (Reuters) - Thirty-three countries have reported 920 probable cases of severe acute hepatitis in children so far, a jump of 270 from May, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday.

The WHO said that the European Region accounted for half the probable cases, including 267 from the United Kingdom, while a third of the probable cases were from the United States.

Health authorities globally have been investigating the mysterious rise in severe cases of hepatitis - or liver inflammation – in young children.

The latest WHO data was as of June 22 and excluded four countries with reported cases yet to be classified.

The WHO said 45 children with acute hepatitis have required liver transplants, and there have been 18 deaths, most of them occurring in the Americas region.