St Mary's Primary pupils and staff to get vaccination

Parents at the Alexandria school were notified on Monday of what the NHS insists is a precautionary measure after a pupil got ill with the gut bug.

Dr Gillian Penrice, consultant in public health medicine, told the Reporter it was an unusual case but they had not determined the source of the infection.

Hepatitis A can have an incubation period of between two and six weeks, and some people can be carrying the virus without showing symptoms.

Dr Penrise said: "This is quite an unusual case, to get Hepatitis A in a child like this.

"This is a gut virus: if someone has it and goes to the toilet and doesn't wash their hands properly and touches someone else or their food or mouth, they can pass that on.

"We wanted to inform parents in a non-alarming way. We also want to stress the importance of hand hygiene.

"We made all GPs in West Dunbartonshire aware of the case and immunisation in case they see any cases.

"Generally the virus is self-limiting and we expect people to make a full recovery."

Read more: Vaccine alert after St Mary's Primary pupil contracts Hepatitis A

There was an incident meeting on Friday before letters went to parents on Monday to notify them of the planned vaccinations.

A public question and answer session at the school on Tuesday was "appreciated by the parents", said Dr Penrise.

She added: "They were reassured."

Dr Penrise repeated that they are vaccinating pupils and staff as a precaution.

She said: "We believe the risk to other children is low and to the wider community is even lower.

"We don't want to create alarm.

"The message is: wash your hands, that is important. If there are symptoms, they should seek medical advice."

Read more: Jackie Baillie calls for hygiene review at St Mary's Primary after Hepatitis scare

The symptoms of Hepatitis A include fever, abdominal pain, loss of appetite and nausea/vomiting, and it can sometimes lead to yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) due to inflammation of the liver.

West Dunbartonshire Council said earlier this week: "Following confirmation that a pupil at St Mary's Primary, Alexandria, has been diagnosed with the Hepatitis A infection, as a precaution and on the advice of the public health department, all pupils and staff at the school are being offered vaccinations.

"This appears to be an isolated case and no other instances have been identified. Public health department has confirmed the risk to pupils, staff and the wider community is low.”

"Parents and carers of children at the school have been issued with information and guidance to further reassure them."

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Sing 'Happy Birthday' to wash your hands

NHS officials insist washing hands is the most important way to combat infection.

They recommend that takes at least 15 seconds to wash your hands properly – this is about how long it takes to sing "Happy Birthday to You" twice.

And they urge families to encourage children to wash their hands by showing them how to do it, and by setting them a good example.

The World Health Organisation advises the following:

1. Wet your hands with water (warm or cold).

2. Apply enough soap to cover all over your hands. You can use alcohol-based handrub if you don't have immediate access to soap and water.

3. Rub hands palm to palm.

4. Rub the back of your left hand with your right palm with interlaced fingers. Repeat with the other hand.

5. Rub your palms together with fingers interlaced.

6. Rub the backs of your fingers against your palms with fingers interlocked.

7. Clasp your left thumb with your right hand and rub in rotation. Repeat with your left hand and right thumb.

8. Rub the tips of your fingers in the other palm in a circular motion, going backwards and forwards. Repeat with the other hand.

9. Rinse hands with water (warm or cold).

10. Dry thoroughly, ideally with a disposable towel.

11. Use the disposable towel to turn off the tap.

For more information visit washyourhandsofthem.com.