An outbreak of the viral infection hepatitis A has spread to a third South Wales school, it has been confirmed.
Public Health Wales officials have revealed that a pupil at Ysgol Rhyd Y Grug in Aberfan,Merthyr Tydfil , has contracted the illness.
It brings the total number of cases to 12, with 10 having an association with pupils at Glyn-Gaer Primary School in Hengoed, Caerphilly.
All cases have a link to pupils at Glyn Gaer School
On Tuesday, May 24, it was confirmed that a pupil at Ysgol Rhydywaun secondary school in Penywaun, near Aberdare , also had hepatitis A.
Heather Lewis, consultant in health protection for Public Health Wales, said: “This new case is a pupil at Ysgol Rhyd Y Grug, but this pupil has been in contact with a confirmed hepatitis A case outside of the school environment and there is no suggestion that the school is the source of the infection.
“All new cases reported in the past week relate to the original cases associated with pupils in Glyn Gaer School.
“Although these new cases attend different schools the infection was not caught in these schools.”
Parents at Ysgol Rhyd Y Grug are will be sent information on hepatitis A and how to reduce the risk of transmission.
'The risk to the public remains low'
They are also being told to make sure their children are “meticulous” about thoroughly washing their hands after going to the toilet or before eating.
“We are confident that to date, all the public health actions needed to control this outbreak have been taken and that the risk to the public remains low,” she added.
“However, we still may see further cases arising from this outbreak as the incubation period for hepatitis A is so long. None of the new cases were unexpected.”
Hepatitis A is a short-lived viral infection which has unpleasant symptoms but is rarely serious.
Children often only have a very mild illness.
Flu-like symptoms
The incubation period – the time from coming into contact with the virus to developing the symptoms – is between two and six weeks which means people may not have any symptoms but still be contagious.
Symptoms can of hepatitis A can include flu-like illness such as tiredness, general aches and pains, headaches and fever, as well as loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, abdominal pains, jaundice, very dark urine and itchy skin.
Heather Lewis added: “The single most important thing people can do to prevent the virus spreading is to ensure they use good hand washing techniques after using the toilet and before preparing or eating food.
“This is especially important next week when many children will be on half term holiday and out and about without easy access to good toilet facilities.”
People are advised to contact their own GP or NHS Direct Wales on 0845 46 47 if they have any concerns about their health or their child’s health.
What is hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is a liver infection caused by a virus that’s spread in the poo of an infected person.
It is uncommon in the UK but certain groups are at increased risk, such as travellers with poor levels of sanitation, men who have sex with men, and people who inject drugs.
Hepatitis A can be unpleasant but it’s not usually serious and most people make a full recovery within a couple of months.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of hepatitis A develop, on average, around four weeks after becoming infected although not everyone will experience them.
Symptoms can include:
- feeling tired and generally unwell
- joint and muscle pain
- a high temperature (fever)
- loss of appetite
- feeling or being sick
- pain in the upper right part of your stomach
- yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
- dark urine and pale stools
- itchy skin
The symptoms will usually pass within a couple of months
What about vaccinations?
Hepatitis A vaccination is not routinely offered on the NHS as the infection is rare in the UK with only 13 reported cases in Wales in 2012.
However it is strongly advised that anyone travelling to a country where the infection is more common (particularly Africa, northern and southern Asia, Central America and southern and eastern Europe) should receive the hepatitis A vaccination along with any other travel immunisations recommended by their GP.
see-http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/health/hepatitis-outbreak-reaches-third-south-11391402
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