A NEW case in the outbreak of Hepatitis A in Caerphilly now brings the total number of people affected to nine.

Public Health Wales said it is continuing to investigate an outbreak of Hepatitis A in the Caerphilly area together with colleagues from Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and Caerphilly Council Borough Council.

Seven of the cases are associated with Glyn-Gaer Primary School in Hengoed.

The new case is a close contact of a patient already confirmed with the infection, and did not contract the illness within the school.

The total number of cases in the outbreak, which includes two cases of Hepatitis A in the local community, is now nine.

More than 200 pupils and over 50 adults were vaccinated at the primary school earlier this month as a precaution.

Heather Lewis, consultant in health protection for Public Health Wales, 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 illness 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 advice issued from Public Health Wales on the best way to prevent the virus spreading is good hand washing after using the toilet and before preparing or eating food.

Ms Lewis added: "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.

"Parents are also being advised not to send their child to school for 7 days if hepatitis A is suspected.

"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. All information received is treated confidentially."

People are advised to contact their own GP or NHS Direct Wales on 0845 46 47 if they have any concerns about their health or their child’s health.

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.

However, it is strongly advised that anyone travelling to a country where the infection is more common (particularly Africa, northern and southern Asia, Central America and southern and eastern Europe) should receive the Hepatitis A vaccination along with any other travel immunisations recommended by their GP.

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