NHS Lanarkshire probing 'small number' of hepatitis A cases in Cumbernauld

NHS Lanarkshire is investigating a "small number" of confirmed cases of hepatitis A in the Cumbernauld area.

Two of the cases are children - one of the patients attends a local school and the other attends a local nursery.

Hepatitis A is a contagious liver infection and can cause mild to severe illness.

It is usually spread by poor hygiene after using the toilet, especially in young children or people who do not maintain good personal hygiene.

However, it can also be spread through contaminated food.

Staff and children at the school and nursery, as well as the youngsters' close family members and people they live with, are being recommended to receive the hepatitis A vaccine.

Dr Alison Smith-Palmer, consultant in public health, said: "We are working with the school and the nursery, and we are in regular contact with the cases and their families.

"To protect patient confidentiality, we will not be providing any further information about the school, nursery or any of the cases."

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Symptoms of acute hepatitis A disease include a flu-like illness, loss of appetite, nausea, fever, diarrhoea, dark urine, pale stools, abdominal pains, and/or jaundice.

Dr Smith-Palmer added: "As a precautionary measure, we are offering the vaccine to not only the children and staff who attend or work at the school or nursery, but also their close family members.

"Good hand hygiene is important in reducing the risk of spread of the virus."