Spike in Viral infection It has made thousands of travelers sick and caused several deaths in several popular European destinations.
According to a rapid risk assessment issued by the European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC), four countries, Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia, have reported a surge in cases of hepatitis A between January and May 2025.
In total, 2,097 cases have been reported in four countries.
Slovakia Active Outbreaks Since 2022, it represents 880 of these cases. The Czech Republic is the next most affected country, reporting 600 cases and six deaths, the ECDC said. Hungary reported 530 cases in 2025, while Austria reported 87.
Hepatitis A is an acute viral liver disease caused by the A hepatitis virus (HAV).
The disease is primarily spread through contaminated food or water or close contact with infected people.
Dr. Marc Siegel, senior medical analyst at Fox News, said hepatitis A is a “widely contagious” disease that can easily spread among food handlers and “go highly sick.”
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Those who haven’t received it Hepatitis A vaccination Alternatively, being infected with the virus is susceptible to the effects, the agency noted. According to Siegel, vaccinations are given in two doses 6 to 12 months apart.
“People will be immune for life after infection,” the doctor noted. “Doctors can check your titer (the level of blood antibodies) and record that you are immunized from a previous vaccination.”
The most affected groups include those who are homeless, who use or inject Recreational medicine Or, some people live in unsanitary conditions, but also have limited access to health care.
“With these groups, as the severity of the disease increases with age, adults under the age of 40 are rated as moderate risk of disease and adults under the age of 40 are at a moderate risk of disease,” the ECDC said.
“For people with a predisposition to liver disease” senior citizenthe risk can be very high. The risks for the larger population of these countries are rated low to moderate. ”
People who have been immunosuppressed are also at higher risk, Alert said.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), not everyone develops symptoms, but those who do so may notice the following common effects:
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“This outbreak reminds us that hepatitis A can cause Serious illness Ole Heuer, head of one health unit at ECDC, said in a press release.
“We need to strengthen our outreach, provide access to vaccination in groups that are likely to be exposed, and ensure basic hygiene, particularly in response to cases increases.”
To address the outbreak, the ECDC recommends that hepatitis A transmittal measures be investigated, including the possibility of food-borne transmission and the possibility of outflow to other groups. Increased risk of infection. ”
Agents are also seeking targeted vaccination programs, “post-exposure prevention,” to close contacts to prevent infection, to prevent more genetic testing for the virus, and to improve education and awareness among high-risk groups.
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According to the CDC, will they be able to receive the hepatitis A vaccine? Immunoglobulin (drugs containing antibodies) It can prevent disease within two weeks of exposure.
