'Small number' of hepatitis A cases probed in Lanarkshire

Two of the recent cases are children at a local school and a local nursery

NHS Lanarkshire is investigating "a small number" of confirmed cases of hepatitis A in the Cumbernauld area.

Two of the cases are children - one who attends a local school and another who attends a local nursery.

Hepatitis A is a viral infection which leads to inflammation of the liver and can cause mild to severe illness.

It is usually spread by poor hygiene after using the toilet, especially in young children or people who do not maintain good personal hygiene.

But it can also be spread through contaminated food.

Staff and children at the school and nursery, as well as their close family members and people they live with, are being strongly encouraged to receive the hepatitis A vaccine.

Dr Alison Smith-Palmer, consultant in public health, said: “We are working with the school and the nursery and we are in regular contact with the cases and their families.

"To protect patient confidentiality, we will not be providing any further information about the school, nursery or any of the cases.

“We are strongly recommending that the staff and children who attend the school and nursery and their close family members, those who live in the same household, receive the hepatitis A vaccine.”

Symptoms of acute hepatitis A disease include a flu-like illness, loss of appetite, nausea, fever, diarrhoea, dark urine, pale stools, abdominal pains, and/or jaundice.

Dr Smith-Palmer added: “As a precautionary measure, we are offering the vaccine to not only the children and staff who attend or work at the school or nursery, but also their close family members.

“Good hand hygiene is important in reducing the risk of spread of the virus.”