A warning has been issued amid a 'small number' of Hepatitis A cases in North Lanarkshire.

NHS Lanarkshire's Public Health Team is currently investigating a few confirmed cases of the disease in the Cumbernauld area.

The health board has said two of the cases are children, with one youngster attending a local school and the other attending a local nursery.

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The disease is a contagious liver infection. It can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a severe illness lasting several months.

According to the NHS, it is usually spread by poor hygiene after using the toilet (the faecal-oral route), especially in young children or individuals who do not maintain good personal hygiene. 

However, it can also be spread through contaminated food.

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Symptoms of acute hepatitis A disease include:

  • A flu-like illness
  • A loss of appetite
  • Nausea
  • Fever
  • Diarrhoea
  • Dark pee
  • Pale stools
  • Abdominal pains, and/or
  • Jaundice

Revealing the confirmed cases, Dr Alison Smith-Palmer has urged staff and children at the school and nursery to receive the Hepatitis A vaccine.

The 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.

“We are strongly recommending that the staff and children who attend the school and nursery and their close family members, those who live in the same household, receive the Hepatitis A vaccine.”

The consultant 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.”