Overview
- Health teams confirmed on Monday that pupils at Benton Park and Central Walker primary schools in Newcastle tested positive for Hepatitis A.
- The UK Health Security Agency said the two infections are not linked and there is currently no evidence the virus is spreading within either school.
- Both schools remain open and have sent letters to parents as they follow UKHSA advice to increase cleaning and hand‑washing measures.
- Hepatitis A spreads through contaminated food, water or close contact via faecal contamination and can cause fever, vomiting, abdominal pain or jaundice, though most children have mild or no symptoms.
- Vaccination prevents Hepatitis A but is not given routinely in the UK, and the NHS recommends it mainly for travellers to high‑risk countries and people with clinical risk factors.