Hepatitis A cases are currently being investigated by the public health team in Lanarkshire.

Residents in Cumbernauld are being urged to be aware of the virus symptoms following “a small number” of cases in the area.

Hepatitis A is a contagious liver infection which can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a severe illness lasting several months. The virus is usually spread through contaminated food or water, or close contact with an infected person.

However, some infected people, particularly young children, don’t have any symptoms.

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Dr Alison Smith-Palmer, public health consultant, said: “We are aware of a small number of cases of hepatitis A in the Cumbernauld area.

“We are working closely with the cases, their families and their close contacts who, as a precautionary measure, are being offered the chance to get vaccinated against hepatitis A infection.

“The hepatitis A vaccine is a well-established safe and effective vaccine which provides protection against infection to those who receive the vaccine and also helps to protect people who may have other health conditions and may be at risk of severe illness if they become infected with hepatitis A.

“We are also asking the local residents in Cumbernauld to be aware of the symptoms and signs of hepatitis A infection and if they are experiencing any symptoms or signs to seek medical attention.”

Symptoms include: 

  • feeling tired and generally unwell 
  • joint and muscle pain 
  • a high temperature (fever)
  • loss of appetite 
  • feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting) •
  • diarrhoea 
  • pain in the upper-right part of your tummy
  • a raised, itchy rash (hives)
  • yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
  • dark pee (urine)
  • pale poo (faeces)
  • itchy skin
  • the upper-right part of your tummy (abdomen) becoming swollen and tender

More information on hepatitis A is available on the NHS Inform website.

Any questions not answered by the information on the website can be raised with the NHS Lanarkshire Health Protection Team by phoning 01698 752952.