GPs are being urged to watch out for signs of acute hepatitis in children with adenovirus symptoms following mysterious clusters of severe disease overseas of unknown aetiology.

Previously healthy children on both sides of the Atlantic have fallen ill with severe acute hepatitis since January, including at least 10 who have required liver transplant.

Leading Sydney paediatric infectious diseases specialist Professor Robert Booy says it may only be a matter of time before similar cases emerge in Australia.

“What is a concern in the UK or the US could be a concern in Australia tomorrow because it is a transmissible infection, and we live in a world where people travel.”