- Health officials from the UK Health Security Agency are working alongside two Newcastle primary schools, Benton Park and Central Walker, after two pupils were diagnosed with Hepatitis A.
- The UKHSA confirmed that the two cases are unlinked and there is currently no evidence of transmission within either school community, keeping the overall risk to pupils, staff, and the wider public low.
- Parents have been issued letters of guidance, and both primary schools are implementing enhanced hygiene measures to prevent the spread of the viral liver infection, which is typically transmitted through contaminated food, water, or poor handwashing.
- Symptoms of Hepatitis A include fever, flu-like aches, vomiting, abdominal pain, and jaundice, and while the infection is usually mild in children, it poses higher risks to older adults, pregnant women, and individuals with existing liver conditions.
- The virus remains rare in the UK, with 889 cases reported across England and Wales in 2024, and vaccinations are generally restricted to high-risk groups or individuals travelling to regions where the virus is prevalent.
IN FULL
Hepatitis A alert issued to UK primary schools after new cases confirmed
