The Centre for Health Protection urges travellers to viral hepatitis endemic areas to be vigilant after the confirmation of six sporadic cases of hepatitis-A involving children who recently travelled to Pakistan.

Four boys and two girls aged seven to 12 came down with fever, vomiting, abdominal pain and jaundice September 5 to October 1. They sought treatment at public hospitals and are stable. A 12-year-old boy is still being treated at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

The centre has given health advice to the six schools they attend which have reported no other cases.

The Port Health Office has informed the tourism industry and alerted the Pakistan Consulate of the cases.

Hepatitis-A is one form of viral hepatitis and is transmitted through contaminated food, drinks and shellfish or directly from person-to-person. The incubation period is around four weeks but can range from 15 to 50 days. Affected people may be asymptomatic, or may have poor appetite, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, upper abdominal discomfort, jaundice and dark urine.

People should always wash their hands before preparing food, before meals and after going to the toilet, and avoid drinking contaminated water or beverages with ice of doubtful origin, eating uncooked or undercooked food, particularly shellfish, and eating cut or peeled fruit.

Hepatitis-A vaccination should be considered for travellers visiting high-risk areas.