More than 100 probable cases of a mystery and severe liver condition in youngsters, including five fatalities, are being investigated by US health officials.

Following a request from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for clinicians to be on the lookout for unusual cases of hepatitis, almost two dozen states reported suspected instances.

Children under the age of ten have been affected since late October.

Only nine cases have been confirmed in Alabama thus far.

CDC’s Dr. Jay Butler said, “We are casting a wide net to broaden our understanding.”

Although the CDC is “casting a wide net” in its inquiry, Butler said that not all of the instances may be tied to the same cause.

“Investigators here and throughout the world are working hard to figure out what’s going on,” Butler stated.

It’s unclear what’s triggering the sicknesses. Half of the children had adenovirus, but “we don’t know if that’s the cause,” he said.

Adenoviruses are a type of virus that causes cold-like symptoms, fever, sore throat, and pink eye. However, some versions can cause other issues, such as stomach and intestine inflammation. Officials are looking into a possible link between one particular variant and stomach inflammation.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the infections in 25 states could be linked to a global outbreak of the disease that has killed many youngsters.

According to the World Health Organization, 300 probable cases have been reported in 20 countries this week.

In the United States, 94 percent of the youngsters were admitted to hospitals.

Eight received liver transplants.

“It’s still a very rare occurrence,” Butler said.

“A majority of these cases have recovered and recovered fully.”