Portugal ‘on alert’ over mysterious outbreaks of hepatitis in young children

Portugal is ‘on alert’ following mysterious and very worrying outbreaks elsewhere in the world of hepatitis in very young children (under the age of six). For now, there have been no cases in Portugal. The BBC has explained that the infections could result from the fact that during the pandemic children were so shielded from germs that they have only now come into contact with adenoviruses that have resulted in a more vigorous immune response. Spain has seen 13 children affected, one of which has needed a liver transplant.