Parents in South Wales urged to reinforce handwash hygiene after hepatitis A outbreak

Health authorities in Wales have urged parents and carers to ensure children wash their hands properly following a hepatitis A outbreak in Barry, south Wales.Public Health Wales, a national public health agency for Wales, onfirmed that at least 3 households in the seaside town had contracted the same liver infection, raising concerns that the virus could be spreading locally, as reported by The Guardian.Officials said those infected were receiving appropriate care and recovering well. Vaccinations have also been offered to close contacts as a precautionary measure.Hepatitis A is a viral infection that affects the liver and is commonly transmitted through contaminated food, water, or poor hygiene. Symptoms can include fever, fatigue, nausea, stomach pain and jaundice, and recovery may take several weeks or months.Public Health Wales has written to families of primary school children in Barry, advising parents to take extra care with hand-washing after using the toilet, changing nappies, and before eating or preparing food.Susan Mably, a consultant in health protection, warned that young children infected with hepatitis A may show no symptoms while still spreading the virus to others.According to health officials, the UK recorded more than 800 hepatitis A cases in 2024, a significant rise compared with previous years. The Guardian reported that a separate outbreak linked to a contaminated supermarket product last year resulted in dozens of hospitalisations.Residents experiencing symptoms such as fever, loss of appetite, nausea or jaundice have been advised to contact a GP or NHS 111 as investigations continue.