US identifies 109 severe hepatitis cases, including 5 deaths, in children

US health officials on Friday said they are investigating 109 cases of severe hepatitis of unknown origin in children, including five reported deaths, updating a nationwide alert issued in April for doctors to be on the lookout for such cases of liver disease.

The cases have been identified over the past seven months in 25 states and territories, Dr Jay Butler, deputy director for infectious diseases at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said....