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As of this week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is 180 potential hepatitis cases of unknown cause in U.S. children since last October, including six deaths. That’s an increase of 71 potential cases since May 5, including one death. 
 
“While this may appear to be a large increase in patients under investigation over the last two weeks, it’s important to understand that the vast majority of these are what we consider ‘retrospective’ patients,” the agency said.  
 
CDC continues to examine possible causes and provide updated reporting and laboratory guidance for clinicians.  
 
In other news, CDC this week a case of monkeypox in a Massachusetts resident who recently traveled to Canada by private transportation. Recent cases also have been reported in several other countries that don’t normally report monkeypox, a rare but potentially serious viral illness.  
 
“Many of these global reports of monkeypox cases are occurring within sexual networks,” Inger Damon, M.D., director of CDC’s Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology. “However, healthcare providers should be alert to any rash that has features typical of monkeypox. We’re asking the public to contact their healthcare provider if they have a new rash and are concerned about monkeypox.”