Hepatitis A cases confirmed at two Newcastle primary schools as parents urged to stay alert

Parents have been advised to remain vigilant after hepatitis A cases were reported among pupils at two primary schools in Newcastle.

Public health officials have been working with the affected schools and other relevant organisations to assess the situation and put appropriate health measures in place. According to information reported on October 2, 2026, there is currently no evidence that hepatitis A has been transmitted within either school.

The cases have nevertheless prompted health advice for families, with schools increasing hygiene measures as a precaution.

What is hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A is a viral infection that affects the liver. Unlike some other forms of viral hepatitis, hepatitis A does not normally cause a long-term infection.

The virus can be transmitted when someone comes into contact with microscopic traces of faeces from an infected person. It can then spread through contaminated food or water, or through close person-to-person contact.

Good hand hygiene is therefore particularly important in environments such as schools, where children have frequent contact with shared facilities and surfaces.

Public health officials have reportedly advised the schools to follow health protection guidance and strengthen hygiene measures.

What has happened at the Newcastle schools?

Two cases of hepatitis A have reportedly been identified among pupils attending two separate primary schools in Newcastle.

The UK Health Security Agency has been working with the schools and relevant partners following the reports.

Jonathan Lawler, consultant in health protection at UKHSA North East, said the agency was working with the schools to ensure necessary public health measures were implemented.

Importantly, the reported information states that there is currently no evidence of transmission occurring at either school.

Both schools have reportedly remained open.

Parents and carers have been given advice and guidance so they know what symptoms to look out for and what steps they can take to reduce the possibility of infection.

How does hepatitis A spread?

Hepatitis A is generally associated with the faecal-oral route of transmission.

This means the virus can enter another person's mouth after microscopic contamination of hands, food, water or surfaces.

Poor handwashing after using the toilet or helping a young child with toileting can increase the opportunity for transmission.

The virus can also spread through contaminated food or water.

Because children regularly use communal toilets, eat together and share classroom environments, maintaining good hygiene is an important part of preventing infections.

Regular handwashing with soap and water is particularly important after using the toilet and before preparing or eating food.

What are the symptoms?

Hepatitis A does not always cause obvious symptoms, particularly in younger children.

When symptoms do occur, they can initially resemble those of other common infections.

Possible symptoms include:

• Feeling unusually tired
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Stomach discomfort or cramps
• Diarrhoea
• Dark-coloured urine
• Pale stools
• Yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, known as jaundice

Symptoms can appear weeks after someone has been infected, meaning a person may not immediately realise that they have contracted the virus.

Jaundice is a particularly recognisable symptom, although it does not occur in every infected person.

Anyone concerned about possible symptoms should seek appropriate medical advice rather than attempting to diagnose hepatitis A independently.

Should parents be worried?

The reported public health assessment is that the risk to the wider public, pupils and teachers remains low.

There is also reportedly no evidence that the virus has been transmitted within either of the affected schools.

That means parents do not necessarily need to assume that their child has been exposed simply because they attend one of the schools.

However, families should take official advice seriously and maintain good hygiene practices.

Parents should also follow any specific instructions issued directly by their child's school or public health authorities.

What can families do to reduce the risk?

Simple hygiene measures can help reduce the spread of hepatitis A and other gastrointestinal infections.

Children should be encouraged to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water after using the toilet and before eating.

Parents should also ensure that bathroom areas are kept clean and that children understand the importance of personal hygiene.

If a child develops symptoms that could indicate hepatitis A, parents should seek medical advice and inform the relevant healthcare professional about the symptoms and any known exposure.

Families should not rely on social media posts or online speculation when making decisions about a possible infection.

Most people recover

Hepatitis A can cause unpleasant symptoms, but most people who become infected recover fully.

Unlike hepatitis B and hepatitis C, hepatitis A does not normally become a chronic infection.

Recovery can nevertheless take time, and some people may experience tiredness or other symptoms for several weeks.

Anyone diagnosed with hepatitis A should follow advice from their healthcare team and public health professionals.

The current Newcastle situation highlights why infection control measures remain important in schools, particularly when a communicable illness has been identified.

For now, the reported message from health officials is that the risk remains low and that there is no evidence of transmission within the two schools.

Parents should continue to monitor official communications from their school and local health authorities rather than relying on unverified reports.

Source

The Sun on October 2, 2026, including statements attributed to the UK Health Security Agency North East.

Disclaimer

This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Symptoms can have many different causes, and online information cannot replace assessment by a qualified healthcare professional. Anyone who is concerned about possible hepatitis A exposure or symptoms should contact an appropriate healthcare professional or follow advice from their local health authority.