Deadly Virus Infects Thousands Across Europe, Prompting Urgent Travel Warning
An alarming outbreak of hepatitis A has swept through four popular European vacation destinations, sickening more than 2,000 people and leaving nine dead.
Health officials are now urging travelers to take precautions or reconsider their plans altogether.
The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) confirmed a "significant increase" in cases of the highly contagious liver virus between January and May 2025 in Austria, Czechia, Hungary, and Slovakia.
Hepatitis A spreads primarily through contaminated food and water, or person-to-person contact via poor hygiene—most commonly when infected individuals don't wash their hands after using the restroom.
Slovakia, home to scenic destinations like Štrbské Pleso, leads the outbreak with 880 confirmed cases. Hungary has seen 530 infections, mostly among adults, while Czechia has recorded six deaths. Austria, with 87 reported cases, has also experienced three fatalities.
Though Germany hasn't been officially named in the outbreak, three of its recent cases match viral profiles found in Hungary and Austria, suggesting regional spillover is already underway.
What's especially concerning is how durable the virus is. It can survive on surfaces for months, and symptoms like fatigue, nausea, jaundice, and abdominal pain may not appear until weeks after exposure.
Related: U.S. Issues Urgent Worldwide Travel Warning Amid Rising Threats
The virus is also being spread via shellfish from contaminated waters and people preparing food without proper sanitation.
Officials say the surge is primarily affecting individuals in close-knit communities and those with limited access to sanitation, but the risk to travelers is real. With summer travel heating up, Czech health authorities advise vaccinations ahead of holidays and warn that "prevention is key."
If you've booked travel to one of the affected countries, consider getting the hepatitis A vaccine before departure. It may also offer protection if administered within two weeks of potential exposure.
In a season where tourism is typically booming, this outbreak is a sobering reminder: not all travel risks are visible.
Related: Scientists Sound Alarm on New Tick Behavior That Puts More People in Danger
Deadly Virus Infects Thousands Across Europe, Prompting Urgent Travel Warning first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 24, 2025
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