An outbreak of Hepatitis A has been reported at an Ipswich primary school, sparking concern among worried parents wondering what precautions will be taken.

Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection which, though commonly does not cause any long-term problems, can be be life-threatening if it leads to liver failure.

A letter from the UK Health Security Agency was sent to parents of children at The Willows Primary School on Saturday, January 21.

A consultant in health protection stated: "We have been notified of a small number of cases of Hepatitis A at the school."

It also noted that Hepatitis A is now an uncommon infection in the UK, with many cases related to travel overseas, but can be spread by the consumption of contaminated food or water.

It advised that signs include flu-like symptoms and jaundice which gradually clear over time, adding that most people recover and have no long-term problems.

However, it did go on to say that Hepatitis A often does not cause any symptoms, particularly in children, who may be unaware that they have had the infection.

The letter added: "We are working closely with the school and as a precaution, parents should lookout for signs and symptoms and follow the recommended exclusion advice of keeping children off school for seven days after their symptoms started."

A number of parents have expressed concerns over how many cases have actually been identified, whether the school should be closing and whether the school is planning to contain the virus through deep cleaning.

Some have also raised issues surrounding whether they should be keeping their vulnerable children with existing conditions at home, rather than sending them in to school each day.

Lucianne Lambourne, principal health protection practitioner at UKHSA East of England said: “We are in the process of working with partners to complete a detailed risk assessment of the situation.

"Good hand hygiene is a key element in preventing the infection spreading and we are working with the school on the extra precautions it can take to support this.’’