Aktual Indonesia - CDC officials revealed another 71 cases had been reported to them in two weeks
'Vast majority' of these were retrospective, and had occurred before May
No new deaths were reported, but the U.S. has registered five in the outbreak
One more child has required a liver transplant, taking the tally to 16 nationwide
Scientists said adenoviruses continue to be a 'strong lead' for what could be causing the mysterious outbreak
But they continue to probe other avenues including a previous Covid infection
Another 71 cases of the mysterious hepatitis are being probed in the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed Wednesday.
No further deaths were reported over the two weeks since the last report, but previously the CDC revealed it was probing five fatalities in the outbreak — with one in Wisconsin.
One more child has required a liver transplant, bringing the national tally for patients needing this procedure to 16.
A total of 180 cases of the mysterious hepatitis have now been linked to the outbreak across 35 states, with all patients 10 years old or younger.
This is the most out of any nation in the world with the UK, which first detected the outbreak, having the second-highest total at 163 cases.
The CDC said the 'vast majority' of these patients were retrospective, and came to hospitals before May but have only just been diagnosed with the mysterious disease.
Scientists are puzzled as to what is causing the outbreak, but CDC officials say adenoviruses — which can cause the common cold — remain a 'strong lead' with nearly half of patients testing positive for them.
Other theories suggest a previous Covid infection, a mutation in adenoviruses or even exposure to pet dogs could be triggering the illness.
All the normal causes of the illness — hepatitis viruses A, B, C, D and E — have been ruled out.
At least 12 children have now died from the mysterious hepatitis worldwide, with five fatalities also reported in Indonesia and one each in Ireland and Palestine.
Today's announcement by the U.S. takes the global tally to at least 520 cases across 21 countries, mostly among children under 10 years old.
CDC officials said they were continuing to probe all possible causes of the mysterious hepatitis outbreak.