Hepatitis A outbreak is over, say health chiefs
AN OUTBREAK of Hepatitis A which led to 18 confirmed cases – including one at a Cynon Valley secondary school – has been declared over.
Public Health Wales, with support from health boards and local authorities in South Wales, said a multi-agency outbreak control team was convened to investigate the outbreak which begin in April and ended in June.
It mostly affected pupils at Glyn Gaer Primary School in Gelligaer, Caerphilly, but there was also one case at Ysgol Rhydywaun in the Cynon Valley during May.
The case at Rhydywaun was linked to that in Gelligaer, and it was not believed the virus was transmitted in the Penywaun school.
Heather Lewis, consultant in communicable disease control for Public Health Wales, said: “Hepatitis A has a long incubation period – or time during which the illness can develop in the body – which is why we have needed to wait three months to declare the outbreak over.
“As part of our work to limit the spread of the disease, we held vaccination sessions at a number of schools, an after-school club and a nursery.
“I would like to say a big thank-you to the all the teams who contributed to making the vaccination sessions happen in such a short timeframe.
“In outbreaks of this kind it’s very difficult to say definitively what the source of the illness was.
“However, we are confident that, thanks to the measures taken by the outbreak control team, this outbreak is over.”
Hepatitis A is a viral infection, usually short lived, which has unpleasant symptoms but is rarely serious. Children often only have a very mild illness.
Symptoms of Hepatitis A can include flu-like illness such as 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.
Hepatitis A vaccination is not routinely offered on the NHS as the infection is rare in the UK, with only 12 reported cases in Wales in 2015. A FORMER Wales footballer has denied playing a role in an alleged multi-millionpound fraud involving apprentice schemes.
Mark Aizlewood, 57, an ex-Cardiff City defender who won 39 caps, pleaded not guilty to fraud by false representation in connection with football-based apprenticeships.
Aizlewood, who played for various clubs including Charlton Athletic, Leeds United and Bristol City, as well as Newport County and Cwmbran, appeared at London’s Southwark Crown Court alongside five others to answer charges brought after a Serious Fraud Office investigation.
Former Middlesbrough, Cardiff City and Newport County player Paul Sugrue, 55, of Cardiff, also denied the allegation.
Aizlewood, of Aberdare, and his alleged accomplices are accused of making false representations to further education colleges to make a gain. The charge relates to the Coventry-based Learning and Skills Council and its successor, the Skills Funding Agency, which were both alleg- edly defrauded between November 1, 2008, and September 30, 2011.
Jack William Harper, 29, of Southport, Merseyside; Christopher Paul Martin, 52, of Catmore, West Berkshire; and Keith Anthony Williams, 44, of Cemaes Bay, Anglesey, also denied the count.
Steven Paul Gooding, 52, of Bridgwater, Somerset, will enter a plea to the alleged conspiracy on October 31.
A second charge of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation was also denied by Aizlewood, Sugrue, Martin and Williams.
It concerns making dishonest representations regarding the accounts of Luis Michael Associates and Luis Michael Training between January 1, 2009, and October 31, 2010.
Aizlewood, wearing a navy suit and a purple and white striped shirt, spoke only to deny the charges.
Harper also denied an additional count of fraud and one of using a false instrument, both of which he stands accused of alone.
They were all bailed to return for trial at the same court on September 4, 2017.