Twelve struck down by Hep A in Sydney

Twelve people have been struck down by Hepatitis A in the past five weeks in Sydney, with NSW Health launching an investigation into the outbreak.

NSW health authorities are warning of a Hepatitis A outbreak after 12 cases in the past five weeks in Sydney.

Ten of these people have contracted the disease in Australia - considerably higher than the average two cases of locally acquired hepatitis A each year, said Dr Vicky Sheppeard, Director Communicable Diseases with NSW Health on Tuesday.

Hepatitis A is caused by a virus that spreads in contaminated food or through poor hygiene. Symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, fatigue and jaundice.

No specific food has yet been connected to the Sydney outbreak, Dr Sheppeard said.