Parents at Orléans school warned about hepatitis A
Ottawa Public Health has warned parents of students at an Orléans elementary school that their children may have been exposed to hepatitis A.
The health agency said it's responding to several confirmed cases of the contagious liver infection, and will be offering vaccine to some students and staff at Maple Ridge Elementary School on Valin Street.
The agency said students and staff in several classes came into close contact with at least one student who had the virus, and are at risk of contracting it.
Some parents said they were pleased with what seemed like a quick response by Ottawa Public Health, but others said initial information was lacking.
"I was just told there was a possible exposure. When I asked questions, I was given no answers," said parent Megan Davey.
"I'd like to know if my child was actually exposed versus a possibility of one of the kids' relatives having it. It's too vague," said Tommy Vranas.
No risk to others: Ottawa Public Health
Everyone at the school who was potentially exposed to the virus has been contacted, and there's no need for parents or siblings of students to get the vaccine, according to Pam Oickle, program manager for infectious disease at Ottawa Public Health.
"There is no risk to anybody else because it does need to be in close proximity to the actual case," Oickle said. "This is a very contained infection."
Oickle said the vast majority of hepatitis A cases involve flu-like symptoms, but no lasting health effects. In very rare cases hepatitis A can lead to liver failure.
Ottawa Public Health said symptoms of hepatitis A include jaundice, pain on the upper right side of the abdomen, and dark urine and/or clay-coloured feces. It can take up to seven weeks for symptoms to develop, and children often don't show any.
