A PUBLIC health warning has been issued after two kids from the same school were diagnosed with Hepatitis A.
Dalton School in Huddersfield has said it is working closely with the health authorities to “prevent any further spread”.
GoogleTwo pupils at the Huddersfield primary school have been infected with hepatitis A[/caption]
The two children affected are in year one and two at the school in Mayfield Avenue.
Parents of pupils at the primary school have been told “not to worry” in an email sent out by the school.
Pupils and staff are being offered “precautionary” hepatitis A vaccinations.
Headteacher Ian Richardson said in the email: “I have been working with Public Health in order to support children and families in Y2 and Y1/Y2 where two children have contracted Hepatitis A.
“These children are now out of incubation and offer zero risk to other children in the school.
“As a result, Public Health have asked me not to raise any unnecessary awareness.
“This ping is to ask you not to worry as there is absolutely minimal risk to all other groups in the school.”
Hepatitis A is an inflammation of the liver, causing mild to severe illness.
It is usually transmitted either by direct contact with an infectious person or by ingesting contaminated food and water.
Hepatitis A is listed as a “notifiable disease” under the Public Health Act 1967 and as such it is a legal requirement to report any case to the Public Health authorities.
Vaccines are not routinely given out in the UK due to the low risk of getting the infection.
The symptoms of hepatitis A you need to be aware of
Symptoms of hepatitis A can include jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, dark-coloured urine and itchy skin.
This is because when your liver isn’t working properly, it stops being able to get rid of bilirubin, a substance that causes jaundice.
There may be earlier flu-like symptoms including mild fever, joint and muscle pain, feeling and being sick, diarrhoea and stomach pain.
Losing your appetite, feeling or being sick and pain in the upper right part of your tummy could also be a sign of the condition.
Not everyone infected will have all these symptoms.
Anyone with suspected hepatitis A infection should contact their GP and remain at home, until their GP advises their return to school or the workplace.
It is an unpleasant illness but is not usually serious and most people make a full recovery in two months.
However, it can last several months and also be deadly if it causes liver failure — when the organ stops working properly.
More information on hepatitis A can be found on the NHS website.
A spokesperson for the UK Health security Agency said: “We can confirm that two hepatitis A cases have been identified within the Dalton Junior Infant and Nursery School.
“Both cases are doing well and are no longer infectious.
“As a precautionary measure, the hepatitis A vaccination was offered to all pupils and staff within the affected year group.
“We have worked closely with local health partners and Kirklees Council to provide considerable advice on messages to share with the affected year group, the wider school community and staff advising that the health risk to pupils is low, but to be vigilant to the symptoms of hepatitis A.”