A further 25 cases of hepatitis have been confirmed in children aged 10 and under, according to the UK Health Safety Agency.
It brings the total number of cases in the UK to 222 as of 25 May.
Of these cases, 158 are in England, 31 in Scotland, 17 in Wales and 16 in Northern Ireland.
Dr Renu Bindra, senior medical advisor and incident director at UKHSA, said: “Our research continues to suggest an association with adenovirus and we are exploring this link, along with other possible contributing factors, such as previous infections such as COVID. -19.
“We are working with other countries who are also looking at new cases to share information and learn more about these infections.
“Children are more likely to develop hepatitis.
“Maintaining normal hygiene measures, including making sure children wash their hands properly regularly, helps reduce the spread of many common infections, including adenovirus.
“We continue to remind everyone to be alert for signs of hepatitis – especially jaundice, look for a yellow tone in the whites of the eyes – and contact your doctor if you are concerned.”
In recent weeks, several countries have seen an increase in cases of hepatitis, with the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control reporting around 190 unexplained cases of severe hepatitis in children worldwide. world, with about 40 cases registered in the European Union. and the European Economic Area.
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The outbreak has also reached Asia, after the first case was reported in Japan on April 21.
Hepatitis is the term used to describe inflammation of the liver and is usually the result of a viral infection.
On 12 May, a child was reported to have died of a disease at a hospital in the Republic of Ireland, while another child, who was also being treated for the disease, received a liver transplant in the United Kingdom. United.
Severe hepatitis is rare in healthy children.