A SCHOOL has issued a warning to parents after an outbreak of hepatitis A.

City Academy Whitehawk in Brighton has banned pupils from using water fountains and cups in the classroom as a precaution.

Public health chiefs confirmed there had been cases of the infectious disease at the school but would not say how many.

They were keen to stress the illness was not spreading within the academy.

The school first informed parents in a letter just before half-term, when headteacher Mark Church reassured them that “investigation and testing is still under way”.

In another letter, dated June 4, he states: “As a further safeguarding and precautionary measure, we have been advised to suspend the use of classroom cups for children to drink from.

“We have also decided to turn off external water fountains as a precaution.”

The head then asks parents to send their children to school with a named water bottle, to be taken home and washed each day.

He added: “Water will continue to be available to children in the canteen every lunchtime in freshly washed glasses.

“All staff have been briefed about this and we are ensuring that children are fully aware of the need to wash their hands with soap after going to the toilet and before eating any food.”

Dr Margot Nicholls from Public Health England said: “We are working with the school, Brighton and Hove City Council, NHS England and NHS Brighton And Hove CCG following reports of cases of hepatitis A in Brighton.

“We have provided information for staff and parents on symptoms of hepatitis A and steps to take to prevent spread.

“To date there have been no cases of hepatitis A being passed within the school and the academy is working closely with PHE to ensure that together we are take all necessary measures to safeguard the local community and prevent further cases of hepatitis A.”

The school was approached for comment yesterday.