Hepatitis A outbreak at Amsterdam school triggers mass vaccinations

A total of 450 pupils and staff members at a primary school in Amsterdam-Noord will be vaccinated on Thursday after four children at the school were diagnosed with hepatitis A, NOS reports.

It seems that one of the kids contracted the virus during the holidays. The contagious infectious disease then spread through the Buikslotermeer School in Amsterdam-Noord. Parents of pupils were informed about the situation on Tuesday.

The vaccination against hepatitis A works immediately and also ensures that children who are already infected are no longer contagious. Hepatitis A is caused by a virus that causes inflammation in the liver. This turns the skin and whites of the eyes yellow. The disease is mostly harmless to children, but can affect adults for up to six months. 

The virus spreads through the feces of people. It is therefore believed that at the school the virus spread through toilet seats or door handles in bathrooms.