AAV2 virus causes severe hepatitis outbreak in children.
More than 1,000 cases of childhood hepatitis with no known cause have been reported since 2022. Three independent studies have now linked the outbreak to infection by adeno-associated virus 2 (AAV2). The cases were often serious, with 7.3% of affected children needing a liver transplant. The discovery of AAV2 in the blood and livers of such children might provide an explanation and could influence disease management.