Parents told to check children's handwashing after south Wales hepatitis A outbreak

An outbreak of hepatitis A in south Wales has led a health body to warn parents to be "vigilant" over their children's handwashing.

Hepatitis A cases of the same strain have been identified in three separate households in Barry, according to Public Health Wales.

It said that it was working with local health authorities, and that information about the strain "suggests the infection may be spreading locally".

Those who have been unwell were "receiving appropriate care and are recovering well".

As a precaution, Public Health Wales said vaccination was being offered to people who had been in close contact with those infected.

Susan Mably, consultant in health protection for the authority, said: "We are now writing to parents who have children in primary schools in Barry to ask them to be vigilant with their children's handwashing to prevent further spread of infection."

She added washing hands thoroughly with soap and water was "the best way to prevent the spread of hepatitis A".

"Some young children who are infected may not show any symptoms but can spread the infection to others who can then become unwell," she said.

"Parents and carers should help and remind young children to wash their hands properly.

"If you or your child feels unwell and has symptoms such as a fever, feeling very tired, a loss of appetite, feeling sick or being sick or have yellow skin or eyes you should contact your GP or NHS 111 Wales."

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According to the NHS, hepatitis A is a liver infection that is spread in the faeces of an infected person.

Symptoms include a high temperature, flu-like symptoms, feeling or being sick, pain in your upper tummy, diarrhoea or constipation, pale yellow or pale grey poo, dark brown pee, itchy skin or a raised rash, and jaundice - yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes.

The disease usually clears up on its own within three to six months. Vaccines are not routinely offered in the UK because the risk of getting infected is low, according to the NHS.

(c) Sky News 2026: Parents told to check children's handwashing after south Wales hepatitis A outbreak