A one-year-old child was treated at Oishei Children's Hospital for a mysterious and deadly hepatitis outbreak that has been spreading across the United States. The Centers for Disease Control is investigating the possible hepatitis infections, including some here in New York State. The first outbreak occurred in Alabama in October of 2021. Five children, ages one to six years old, suffered from severe liver illness and failure. The virus has since spread to 109 children in 25 states, including New York State. The cause of the outbreak is currently unknown. The children have been affected severely with 90 percent being hospitalized and 14 percent needing liver transplants.

Five children in the United States have died from this particular hepatitis outbreak.

According to WIVB, the toddler was admitted last month and spent three days in the hospital. The child was vomiting, had diarrhea, and a fever.

During a call about the investigation, Dr. Jay Butler, Deputy Director for Infectious Diseases said that the CDC is 'casting a wide net,' trying to determine the cause. Dr. Butler did say that none of the children had been vaccinated against COVID-19 and none of them reported any COVID-19 infections.

Laboratory tests identified that some of the children had adenovirus type 41, which is more likely to cause severe stomach illness in children.

Parents and guardians should be on the look-out for these symptoms of liver inflammation in children:

1. fever

2. fatigue

3. loss of appetite

4. nausea / vomiting

5. abdominal pain

6. dark urine / light-colored stools (poop)

7. joint pain

8. jaundice (yellowing of the skin)

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