Hepatitis A alert issued to UK primary schools after new cases confirmed

Health bosses are working with Newcastle primary schools after two cases of Hepatitis A were reported among pupils.

Parents of students at Benton Park and Central Walker schools have been issued letters of guidance and advice from the The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

The agency said the cases were not linked and the risk to the public, other pupils and staff remains low.

Dr Jonathan Lawler, a consultant in health protection at UKHSA, said: “We are working with both schools and other relevant partners to ensure all necessary public health actions are carried out.

“Hepatitis A is a viral infection that affects the liver. The virus is usually acquired by eating food or drinking water that has been contaminated with the virus and also can be spread from person to person.

‘Hepatitis A is present in the faeces (poo) of an infected person and can be passed to others if the ill person accidentally contaminates another person, food, water or the bathroom, toilet or towels, as a result of poor hand washing. The infection can then be picked up on other people’s hands and transferred to their mouth.

“The schools are working with partners and following health protection advice to increase hygiene measures to prevent transmission.”

The UKHSA said there was no evidence of transmission in either school community.