WISCONSIN — The Wisconsin Department of Health Services warned of a potential hepatitis outbreak amongst children in the state.

A nationwide alert was issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, after an uptick in cases both in the U.S. and overseas. 

Four cases are currently being investigated in Wisconsin, according to the Wisconsin DHS. One case resulted in the child needing a liver transplant and another child died.

Officials have not yet confirmed if that death was directly tied to hepatitis. If so, it would be the first reported pediatric death due to hepatitis in the U.S.

Dr. Frank Zhu, assistant professor of pediatric infectious diseases with the Medical College of Wisconsin, said hepatitis symptoms present like the stomach flu or gastroenteritis at first. Children may experience stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, light colored stools, jaundice and other symptoms such as fever, sore throat and pink eye.

He said parents should worry if those symptoms don't improve in a few days. 

"If they have these sort of progressive symptoms that I'm describing, or these symptoms last for a significant period of time and they're not getting better after a few days, half a week, I think it's definitely time to take them to see a doctor," Zhu said.

Officials are investigating clusters of the outbreaks and have not found a definitive link. They said it is a form of adenovirus and urged washing hands frequently and wearing masks to prevent the spread.