A second child at Ysgol Dewi Sant has contracted the infection and public health officials fear more could be affected
An outbreak of Hepatitis A is being investigated after a second child at a primary school contracted the virus.
Vaccines are being offered to pupils and staff at Ysgol Dewi Sant in Rhyl and to those who attend the after-school club.
Public Health Wales say the new case is likely to be connected to a previous case that was diagnosed at the school in January.
The timing of it suggests that other children at the school may also have had the infection without knowing it, the organisation warns.
Dr Graham Brown, consultant in communicable disease control said: “Public Health Wales is working closely with Denbighshire Council Environmental Health Officers to investigate a suspected case of Hepatitis A, and to offer advice to parents, school staff and pupils. The risk to the public remains low.
“In younger children, Hepatitis A is usually a mild and short term infection, and in most cases the child will not demonstrate any symptoms.
“This suggests that other children at the school may have had the infection without knowing it.”
He added: “When symptoms do appear they are usually flu-like, and include tiredness, general aches and pains, headaches and fever, as well as loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pains, jaundice, very dark urine and itchy skin.”
The Hepatitis A vaccination is not routinely offered on the NHS as the infection is rare in the UK.
The virus is present in the poo of a person who is infected and can be passed from person to person through close contact, especially if they have not washed their hands properly after going to the toilet.
In rare cases, the liver infection can be life-threatening.
The incubation period (the time from coming into contact with the virus to developing symptoms) is between two and six weeks.
The council’s environmental health officers and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board are supporting the investigation.
Public Health Wales say the school has received public health advice on the control and prevention of infection, including hand washing and disinfection information from environmental health officers.
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.
*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.
Further information about Hepatitis A is available on the Public Health Wales website here
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/hepatitis-outbreak-rhyl-primary-school-12769979
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