Deena Bearsley

(Reuters) – U.S. officials said Friday that they were investigating 109 cases in which children have severe hepatitis. Five of these deaths are reported. This update to an April nationwide alert urged doctors to monitor for cases of this liver disease.

During a conference call, Dr. Jay Butler (deputy director for infectious disease at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) stated that the cases were identified in the last seven months in 25 US states and territories.

According to him, around half the children with hepatitis had also been diagnosed with an adenovirus. This virus causes common cold symptoms. However, the agency continues its investigation into the cause.

This update comes after investigations in Europe and the United States of young children with clusters of hepatitis. The CDC indicated that they are working together with colleagues in Europe to identify the source of these infections, which can lead to liver damage or even liver failure.