3<\/p>\n The virus affects the liver (stock photo)Credit: Getty 3<\/p>\n Two clusters have been identified with recent cases being reported in March (stock photo)Credit: Getty<\/p>\n The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA<\/a>) has confirmed two separate clusters of the virus have been identified. <\/p>\n Officials have received reports of 54 cases since December 2024 and are now investigating the cause of the outbreak. <\/p>\n Patient interviews have indicated that the outbreak comes from a specific food item purchased from an unnamed supermarket<\/a>. <\/p>\n A UKHSA report reads: “A particular food item purchased from a particular supermarket has emerged as a possible vehicle of transmission due to its frequent reported consumption.” <\/p>\n The product has not been named despite officials identifying it as a “possible vehicle of transmission.” <\/p>\n The first identified cluster saw 19 people hospitalised <\/a>with the infection that affects the liver. <\/p>\n Most of the patients in the first cluster to be identified were between the ages of 50 and 69. <\/p>\n The second cluster saw a further 39 people requiring hospitalisation after catching the virus<\/a>.<\/p>\n Cases related to the first cluster were identified between January 2021 and March 2025. <\/p>\n The latest wave of infections <\/a>began in January 2023 with cases still being reported in March this year. <\/p>\n One killed and 10 hospitalized after ‘eating McDonald’s Quarter Pounders’ in horror E. coli outbreak<\/p>\n No deaths linked to the outbreak have been reported as of yet. <\/p>\n Public Health Scotland<\/a> are leading the investigation alongside the UKHSA. <\/p>\n Hepatitis A begins with mild symptoms but can quickly develop into a more serious illness. <\/p>\n It causes weakness and fatigue, a loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, fever jaundice and abdominal pain. <\/p>\n If left untreated the infection <\/a>can lead to liver failure and can even be fatal. <\/p>\n 3<\/p>\n The outbreaks have been linked to a food itemCredit: Getty<\/p>\n Unlike hepatitis B and C, hepatitis A<\/a> isn’t known to cause chronic liver disease. <\/p>\n Symptoms tend to develop within two months of infection but can go undetected for longer. <\/p>\n The NHS warns that children and some adults may have no symptoms<\/a>. <\/p>\n In less extreme cases the virus usually clears up on its own within six months but doctors can prescribe medication to alleviate symptoms. <\/p>\n The UKHSA is continuing to investigate the recent outbreaks with an unnamed food item from an unnamed supermarket identified as a possible cause.<\/p>\n UKHSA officials have not stated the name of supermarket, or the food item.<\/p>\n The UKHSA <\/a>report reads: “Given the reported lack of international travel in most cases, and implicated food items, further investigations into the possible sources of these clusters are in progress to inform control measures.”<\/p>\n A UKHSA spokesperson said: “We are working with partner agencies to investigate the cases.”<\/p>\n The symptoms of hepatitis A you need to be aware of<\/p>\n Symptoms of Hepatitis A can include jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, dark-coloured urine and itchy skin.<\/p>\n This is because when your liver isn\u2019t working properly, it stops being able to get rid of bilirubin, a substance that causes\u00a0jaundice<\/a>.<\/p>\n There may be earlier flu-like symptoms including mild fever, joint and muscle pain, feeling and being sick, diarrhoea and stomach pain.<\/p>\n Losing your appetite, feeling or being sick and pain in the upper right part of your tummy could also be a sign of the condition.<\/p>\n Not everyone infected will have all these symptoms.<\/p>\n Anyone with suspected hepatitis A infection should contact their GP and remain at home, until their GP advises their return to school or the workplace.<\/p>\n It is an unpleasant illness but is not usually serious and most people make a full recovery in two months.<\/p>\n However, it can last several months and also be deadly if it causes\u00a0liver failure<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 when the organ stops working properly.<\/p>\n![\"Illustration](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/hepatitis-infection-computer-illustration-1002170552.jpg\")
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