Vaccinations after Rhyl school's hepatitis A outbreak

Pupils and staff at a school in Denbighshire have been offered vaccinations following an outbreak of hepatitis A.

Public Health Wales (PHW) said a second case had been confirmed at Ysgol Gymraeg Dewi Sant in Rhyl, following an earlier diagnosis in January.

Both cases are likely to be linked.

PHW added the disease is often mild in children and they may not have any symptoms which means others could have had it without knowing.

Dr Graham Brown, consultant in communicable disease control at PHW, said symptoms appear "flu-like" and include tiredness, headaches and fever as well as loss of appetite, abdominal pains and itchy skin.

Denbighshire council's environmental health officers and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board are supporting the investigation.

Hepatitis A facts

• An infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus.

• Anyone can be infected with hepatitis A - a large number of people who become infected contract the virus abroad.

• The virus is excreted in faeces and can be passed onto people when something contaminated (e.g. food, water) is put in the mouth.

• Complications are rare. Most people make a full recovery within two months. The illness can be more severe in people over 50.

• Anyone infected needs to be assessed by a doctor. There is no specific treatment.

Source: Public Health Wales