SIX cases of Hepatitis A are confirmed to have come from a Caerphilly primary school, where more than 200 children were vaccinated earlier this week.

On Friday, April 22, it was announced that four cases of the virus were under investigation at Hengoed’s Glyn-Gaer Primary School.

Public Health Wales are currently investigating the outbreak in conjunction with the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and Caerphilly council.

In addition to the 222 children, 48 adults have received the vaccination, as two cases were confirmed in the community where the school is location.

Heather Lewis, Public Health Wales’ health protection consultant, said: “Hepatitis A is a viral infection, usually short lived that has unpleasant symptoms but is rarely serious. Children often only have a very mild illness.

“Symptoms can include flu-like symptoms such as tiredness, general aches and pains, headaches and fever, as well as loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, abdominal pains, jaundice, very dark urine and itchy skin.”

The outbreak team from Public Health Wales is currently working to establish the link between the patients with confirmed Hepatitis A and the school.

Ms Lewis added: “Good hand washing after using the toilet and before preparing or eating food is the best way to prevent the virus spreading.

“Children may have very few symptoms but can pass the virus onto others so we are reminding parents to encourage good hand washing at all times.”

Hepatitis A vaccination is not routinely offered on the NHS as the infection is rare in the UK, with only 13 reported cases in Wales in 2012.

The virus, according the Public Health Wales, is more commonly found in southern and eastern Europe, central America, Africa and northern and southern Asia.

“Parents are also being advised not to send their child to school for 7 days if hepatitis A is suspected,” said Ms Lewis.

“We are confident that to date, all the public health actions needed to control this outbreak have been taken and that the risk to the public remains low. However, due to the very long incubation period of hepatitis A we may see more cases.

“We continue to work closely with Environmental Health Officers to investigate this outbreak and to offer advice to parents, school staff and pupils.”

Further information about hepatitis A is available on the Public Health Wales website at wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/888/page/43692.