Authorities Investigating Sydney Hepatitis A Outbreak

NSW food and health authorities are looking into a hepatitis A outbreak in Sydney following 12 cases reported in the last five weeks.

According to smh.com.au, ten of these people picked up the disease while in Australia.

To put this figure in perspective, normally there are two cases contracted locally within a year.

"NSW Health is working with the NSW Food Authority to investigate the outbreak, including assessment of patterns of food distribution and any links to overseas outbreaks," Dr Vicky Sheppeard from NSW Health said.

It is understood that no specific food has been linked with the outbreak.

Hepatitis A spreads through contaminated food or poor hygiene, and symptoms include dark urine, nausea, vomiting and yellowing of the skin.