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| Hepatitis A outbreak investigated in three children in Cardiff | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Public Health Wales is investigating an outbreak of hepatitis A in three children from Cardiff. | |
| The confirmed cases attend three different schools but there is no evidence at the moment of further transmission within the schools. | |
| One case is known to have acquired the infection outside of the UK, say health officials. | |
| Vaccination is being offered to around 20 close contacts of the three children who may be at risk. | |
| A vaccination session will be held at 09:30 BST on Friday in the Loudon building, Loudon Square, Cardiff. | |
| Only those who have been invited need attend. | |
| All three schools, which are not being named, have received advice on the control and prevention of infection. | |
| Information regarding hand washing and disinfection is also being provided by environmental health officers. | |
| Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan councils are also investigating the outbreak. | |
| Short-term infection | |
| Public Health Wales said it was "confident" that all actions needed to control the outbreak had been taken. | |
| Dr Gwen Lowe, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control, said: "Hepatitis A is usually a short-term infection that has very unpleasant symptoms but is rarely serious. | |
| "Symptoms include flu-like symptoms like tiredness, general aches and pains, headaches and fever, as well as loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, abdominal pains, jaundice, very dark urine and itchy skin. | |
| "People are advised to contact their own GP or NHS Direct Wales on 0845 46 47 if they have any concerns about their health or their child's health." | |
| Hepatitis A vaccination is not routinely offered on the NHS as the infection is rare in the UK, with only 13 reported cases in Wales in 2012. |