Latest news with #HepatitisA
Daily Mail
11 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Urgent vaccination warning for Aussie travellers heading to Europe
At least four European countries frequented by Australian tourists have reported outbreaks of the highly contagious Hepatitis A virus. A significant increase in the liver infection has been reported in Austria, Czechia, Hungary, and Slovakia from January to May - with a total of 2097 cases this year. Slovakia, which has had an outbreak since late 2022, reported 880 cases this year. Austria has recorded 87 cases including three deaths, and Czechia has seen 600 cases including six deaths, with young children being the most affected group. Hungary has experienced 530 cases, mainly among adults, and Germany - though not labelled an affected country - had three cases matching Hungary and Austria. A spokesperson for the Interim Australian Centre for Disease Control has warned Australians to take care regarding the current outbreak in Europe. 'Australian travellers should be aware that hepatitis A is highly contagious,' they told The Daily Telegraph. 'You can get infected after ingesting the virus by: eating contaminated raw food... drinking contaminated water... handling soiled nappies, linen or towels of an infectious person; sharing personal items with an infectious close or intimate contact with an infectious person.' The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control issued a risk assessment on Hepatitis A (HAV) on June 18. 'This outbreak reminds us that hepatitis A can cause serious illness and death, especially among people with limited access to healthcare and basic hygiene,' it said. 'Vaccination and good hygiene are the best ways to protect against hepatitis A infection.' The centre's head of unit for One Health Related Diseases said the group would need to 'strengthen outreach' through access to vaccination and basic sanitation. Hepatitis A, which is caused by a virus spread via contaminated faeces making its way into food and drink, is not common in Australia. The virus typically spreads through a lack of clean water and by not cleaning things correctly, Hepatitis Australia said. People can also get hepatitis A through close physical contact with someone who has it, including through oral or anal sex. Almost everyone who has the virus will recover, but a small number can get very sick or die from liver failure. The majority of people affected are those aged 50 years or older, or who have other health issues (like hepatitis B or C). Smartraveller's advice for Australians to avoid infectious diseases including Hepatitis A also suggested a range of sanitation measures. 'Wash your hands often and use hand sanitiser before you eat,' the advice said. 'Drink bottled water from a sealed bottle.' Smartraveller also suggested using water-sterilising tablets or filtration bottles to make tap water safe and washing fresh produce with bottled or sterilised water. Australians are advised to avoid drinks with ice cubes, uncooked or undercooked food, fresh salads and raw vegetables. They are also told to avoid contact with water or soil that may be contaminated with sewage and, in some places, swimming or wading in any fresh water. Signs of the infection include a high temperature, flu-like symptoms - such as fatigue, headache and muscle pains - feeling or being sick, abdominal pain, changes in bowel movements, pale grey coloured faeces and itchy skin. In more severe cases, a patient's skin and eyes may appear yellow, a condition known as jaundice and a serious sign the liver is struggling to function correctly.
The Age
13 hours ago
- Health
- The Age
Hepatitis A outbreak in several European countries
Aussies travelling to Europe have been urged to get vaccinated after an outbreak of Hepatitis A in several popular tourist spots. Loading
Sydney Morning Herald
13 hours ago
- Health
- Sydney Morning Herald
Hepatitis A outbreak in several European countries
Aussies travelling to Europe have been urged to get vaccinated after an outbreak of Hepatitis A in several popular tourist spots. Loading
New York Post
2 days ago
- Health
- New York Post
Deadly Hepatitis A outbreak infects thousands of travelers at popular European destinations
A spike in viral infections has sickened thousands of travelers and caused several deaths at some popular European destinations. Four countries — Austria, Czechia, Hungary and Slovakia — have reported a spike in hepatitis A cases between January and May 2025, according to a rapid risk assessment issued by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). In total, 2,097 cases have been reported across the four countries. Slovakia, which has been dealing with an active outbreak since 2022, represents 880 of those cases. Czechia is the next most affected country, reporting 600 cases and six deaths, the ECDC stated. Hungary has reported 530 cases in 2025, and Austria has reported 87. Hepatitis A is an 'acute viral liver disease' caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV), according to the agency. 3 In total, 2,097 cases have been reported across the four countries. Getty Images/iStockphoto The disease is mainly spread through contaminated food or water, or through close contact with infected people. Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, said that hepatitis A is a 'widely transmissible' disease that spreads easily among food handlers and 'can get you very sick.' People who have not received the hepatitis A vaccination or been infected by the virus are susceptible, the agency noted. Vaccinations are given in two doses, six to 12 months apart, according to Siegel. Every morning, the NY POSTcast offers a deep dive into the headlines with the Post's signature mix of politics, business, pop culture, true crime and everything in between. Subscribe here! 'People will have lifetime immunity after infection,' the doctor noted. 'A doctor can check your titres (levels of blood antibodies) to document that you are immune from prior vaccination.' Groups most affected by the infections include people who are homeless, use or inject recreational drugs or live in unsanitary conditions, as well as those with limited access to healthcare. 'Within these groups, the risk of the disease is assessed as moderate for those below 40 years of age and high for adults 40 years of age or older, as the severity of the disease increases with age,' the ECDC stated. 3 The disease is mainly spread through contaminated food or water, or through close contact with infected people. BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty Images 'For people with predisposing liver disease or older adults, the risk can be very high. The risk for the broader population in these countries is assessed as low to moderate.' Those who are immunosuppressed are also at a higher risk, the alert said. Not everyone will develop symptoms, but those who do may notice the following common effects, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Dark urine or clay-colored stools Diarrhea Fatigue Fever Joint pain Loss of appetite Nausea, stomach pain or vomiting Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice) 'This outbreak reminds us that hepatitis A can cause serious illness and death, especially among people with limited access to healthcare and basic hygiene,' said Ole Heuer, head of the ECDC's One Health Unit, in a press release. 3 Those who are immunosuppressed are also at a higher risk, the alert said. LightRocket via Getty Images 'We need to strengthen outreach, provide access to vaccination in groups more likely to be exposed and ensure basic sanitation, especially in response to the increase in cases.' To address the outbreak, the ECDC recommends investigating potential means of transmission of hepatitis A, such as 'possible foodborne transmission or spill-overs into other groups at increased risk of infection.' The agency also calls for targeted vaccination programs, 'post-exposure prophylaxis' to close contacts to prevent infection, and more genetic testing of the virus, as well as increased education and awareness among high-risk groups. According to the CDC, receiving the hepatitis A vaccine or immune globulin (medication containing antibodies) within two weeks of exposure can prevent illness.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
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
