A pupil at a secondary school in the Cynon Valley has been diagnosed with the viral infection
Another person has been diagnosed with the viral infection hepatitis A - taking the total up to 13.
Public Health Wales said a pupil at Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun in the Cynon Valley has contracted the condition, making it the second case at the school.
Ten of the cases have an association with pupils in Glyn Gaer school in Hengoed.
Risk to public 'remains low'
Heather Lewis, consultant in health protection for Public Health Wales, said: “Although hepatitis A is usually a mild illness in children, a safe vaccine to prevent it is available.
“To reduce the number of additional cases vaccination is being offered to all pupils and staff who may be at risk over the next week."
She added: “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.
“We appreciate any new case may cause concern but none of the new cases were unexpected and we will see further cases arising from this outbreak as the incubation period for hepatitis A is up to 50 days.”
Good hand washing techniques
Hepatitis A is spread from person to person by people not washing their hands after going to the toilet.
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.
A spokesman for Public Health Wales added: “Hepatitis A is a viral infection, usually short lived that has unpleasant symptoms but is rarely serious. Children often only have a very mild illness.
“Symptoms 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.”
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.
Further information about hepatitis A is available on the Public Health Wales website here
see-http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/health/another-pupil-diagnosed-hepatitis-south-11435322
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