Hepatitis A affects two at school

The hepatitis A virus infects the liver

Children at a primary school in Manchester are being vaccinated against hepatitis A after two reception age pupils contracted the disease.

Parents of the youngsters at Oswald Road Primary, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, were notified that the two children had the liver infection on Thursday.

Thirty-two pupils in reception and the staff who work there are being vaccinated on Friday.

It is not known how or where the children contracted the disease.

The school decided to offer vaccinations on the advice of the Greater Manchester Health Protection Unit.

Experts assessed the movements of children within the school and decided only reception pupils needed to be offered jabs.

Abdominal pain

A statement from the school said: "At this stage, vaccination is not advised for the rest of the school although this situation is being kept under review.

"It is also not advised for family members of reception class pupils."

The statement also stressed the importance of children washing their hands thoroughly after going to the toilet to prevent further infection.

The majority of people from the UK who become infected with hepatitis A contract it when abroad.

It is estimated to affect up to 10 million people worldwide each year. It is spread because of poor personal hygiene and there is no specific treatment.

Symptoms include weakness, tiredness, headache, fever, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea.

Hepatitis A is usually less severe in children and young adults. However, the severity of the illness is generally worse in older people.