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(CNN) --
Health officials in the United Kingdom and the United States are investigating cases of severe hepatitis in children.
The World Health Organization has identified 74 cases of severe acute hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) among children across the UK, the WHO said in a news release on Friday.
Alabama health officials also said Friday that they have been investigating an increase in hepatitis in young children.
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In its statement, the WHO said laboratory tests “excluded hepatitis viruses types A, B, C and E (and D where applicable) in these cases, while severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS- CoV-2) and/or adenoviruses have been detected in several cases.”
“Although the potential role of adenovirus and/or SARS-CoV-2 in the pathogenesis of these cases is hypothesized, other infectious and non-infectious factors need to be thoroughly investigated to properly assess and manage risk,” he said.
Other epidemiological risk factors, including recent international travel, have not been identified.
"In general, the etiology of the current cases of hepatitis is still considered unknown and remains under active investigation," the WHO said. "Laboratory tests for additional infections, chemicals and toxins are being performed for identified cases."
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The WHO warns that it is likely that more cases will be detected before there are responses and the corresponding control and prevention measures have been taken.
The WHO first identified 10 cases of the disease in previously healthy children between the ages of 11 months and 5 years in central Scotland on April 5.
Further investigations in the UK identified a total of 74 cases, including the original 10, as of April 8.
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Six of the children have undergone liver transplants, but as of April 11, no deaths have been reported.
An epidemiologically linked case has been detected: a person with acute hepatitis who is a close contact of a confirmed case since January.
Fewer than five confirmed or possible cases have been reported in Ireland and three have been confirmed in Spain.
These cases are being investigated.
"Member states are strongly encouraged to identify, investigate and report potential cases that meet the case definition," the WHO said.
"WHO does not recommend any restrictions on travel and/or trade with the UK, or any other country where cases are identified, based on currently available information."
The Alabama Department of Public Health said in a separate statement Friday that it has been investigating an increase in hepatitis in young children.
“These children presented to providers in different areas of Alabama with symptoms of gastrointestinal illness and varying degrees of liver injury, including liver failure.
Further analysis has revealed a possible association of this hepatitis with Adenovirus 41,” she said.
“To date, nine children under the age of 10 have been identified as adenovirus positive and two have required liver transplantation.
The affected children were from throughout the state of Alabama and an epidemiological link between them has not been established.
None of these children have had any notable underlying health conditions."
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In a statement obtained by CNN, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said they are aware and are working with the Alabama Department of Public Health to investigate the nine cases. of hepatitis in children, aged 1 to 6 years, who have also tested positive for adenovirus since October 2021.
They are also aware of recently reported cases in Europe, and have contacted their European counterparts to understand what they are learning.
"Adenovirus has been confirmed in several, but not all, of the European cases," said the CDC, which is working with state health departments across the US to see if there are additional cases in the country.
"Right now, adenovirus may be the cause of these, but researchers are still learning more, including ruling out more common causes of hepatitis," the CDC said in its statement.
"It is important to note that not all illnesses are reported at the state or national level, and in these cases, the CDC uses different surveillance methods, including working closely with physicians and health departments to identify and detect unusual patterns or clusters. of diseases," they added.
The US national public health agency said it will share additional information as it becomes available.