UPDATE: Health officials have now confirmed all pupils and staff at Llangors Church in Wales Primary school have been offered the Hepatitis A vaccination.

Pupils and staff at a school near Brecon are being offered the Hepatitis A vaccination following an infection linked to the primary.

Nearly 60 children in years three, four and five at Llangors Church in Wales Primary School and staff from those years will be offered the vaccination today, Thursday May 3.

Public Health Wales said it has taken the unusual step following confirmation a person linked to the school has the uncommon viral liver infection that can, on rare occasions, be serious.

Parents are also being told the best way to prevent the virus, which is spread in the faeces of an infected person, is by thorough handwashing after using the toilet and before preparing food.

The vaccination session at the school is as a precautionary measure, according to Public Health Wales. It said Hepatitis A spreads easily between young children, who will often not have symptoms but can still transmit infection to other people.

Dr Christopher Johnson, consultant in health protection, Public Health Wales, said: "Hepatitis A is a viral infection, usually short lived that has unpleasant symptoms but can be serious on rare occasions. Children often only have a very mild illness or do not have symptoms at all.

"Symptoms 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.

"Good handwashing after using the toilet and before preparing or eating food is the best way to prevent the virus spreading.

"Children may pass the virus onto others without having symptoms so we are reminding parents to encourage good hand washing at all times."

Public Health Wales is working with the environmental health team at Powys County Council and with Powys Teaching Health Board, to investigate the source of the infection, deliver vaccinations and offer advice to close household contacts of the patient.

There is no indication that the infection has been contracted on the school premises, and the school is co-operating fully with arrangements.

People are advised to contact their own GP or NHS Direct Wales on 0845 46 47 if they have any concerns about their health or their child’s health.

Hepatitis A vaccination is not routinely offered on the NHS as the infection is rare in the UK.

Further information about Hepatitis A is available on the Public Health Wales website at http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/888/page/43692