21-05-2025
Europe destination popular with UK tourists hit by virus outbreak
A Foreign Office-sponsored site said a massive increase has hit with 450 confirmed cases and six dead
The Foreign Office has issued a stark warning to Brits planning a holiday in Prague, one of the UK's favourite destinations, particularly for stag and hen parties.
Travel Health Pro, the official UK Government outlet run by the Foreign Office, revealed that as of 5 May 2025, a staggering 450 confirmed cases of hepatitis A have been reported in the Czech Republic, resulting in six fatalities.
This marks a significant increase from 2024, when 636 cases were reported throughout the year, leading to two deaths. The majority of these cases in 2025 have been reported in Central Bohemia, Moravia-Silesia and Prague.
The Czech Health Ministry has warned: "The disease, also known as infectious jaundice, is spreading not only among children but also among adolescents and young adults, and among people with risky behaviour, especially among drug addicts and homeless people. Transmission occurs mainly as a result of poor hygiene conditions. ".
MUDr. Barbora Macková, MHA, the Chief hygienist and director of SZÚ, expressed concern over the soaring cases: "When we compare the figures for the whole of last year and just four months of this year, it is clear that we are seeing a sharp increase in cases. Hepatitis A affects regions across the country. The regions of Central Bohemia – 87, Moravia-Silesia – 83 and Prague – 73 report the most cases. The number of susceptible individuals in the population is gradually increasing, i.e. those who have not yet encountered the disease or are not vaccinated."
"They are therefore more likely to become infected when in contact with an infected person or objects. In addition to the child population, the spread of HAV has also been recorded in the population of adolescents and young adults and people with risky behaviour, especially among drug addicts and homeless people.
"The transmission of the infection occurs mainly as a result of poor hygiene conditions. Due to the long incubation period, often asymptomatic course, and increasing non-compliance with prescribed anti-epidemic measures and basic hygiene habits, the infection has very good conditions for 'spreading.'"
Officials have explained that in most instances, the disease is more severe in adults than in children, who often experience it symptom-free, leading to easy spread. However, around 10% of patients endure complicated courses; the illness and recovery can last several months.
In extremely rare cases, a so-called fulminant, rapid course can occur, resulting in liver failure and death. Mortality is generally low (0.1–0.3%), but may be higher (1.8%) in adults over 50 years of age or in people with underlying chronic liver disease.
Czech officials have advised holidaymakers to adhere to certain rules. Deputy head of the Department of Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases of the SZÚ, MUDr. Kateřina Fabiánová, Ph.D, said: "Especially for travellers, it is recommended to avoid consuming raw salads and vegetables, fruit that you cannot peel yourself, ice cream, raw or semi-raw seafood, and oysters are especially dangerous. In general, it is good to avoid undercooked foods and not use ice in drinks.
"Especially in countries with lower hygiene standards, it is not recommended to use water from public taps, even for brushing teeth. It is good to follow the basic rule of the World Health Organisation for preparing food in exotic countries: boil, bake, peel, or leave it alone."
With hepatitis A cases on the rise, health officials are raising alarms about the potential for a much higher number of undetected infections, particularly as many children show no symptoms yet remain infectious.
What's the timeline for symptoms to appear?
Prof Fabiánová explained: "The incubation period of viral hepatitis A, i.e. the time from infection of a person to the development of symptoms of the disease, is 14-50 days, most often 30 days. The contagious period begins in the second half of the incubation period, when the virus is already present in the stool, i.e. usually 1 to 2 weeks before the onset of the disease itself. Contagion then lasts 1 to 2 weeks after the onset of the disease.
"The spread of HAV is most often through the stool of an infected person. This involves both direct transmission, from person to person, for example, with dirty hands, and indirect transmission, through contaminated water or food and contaminated objects, for example, we are talking about door handles, handles, handles, in short, places frequently touched by people."
Travellers at heightened risk:
Preventative measures.
Since consuming contaminated food or water is the primary way travellers contract hepatitis A, good personal hygiene and adherence to advice on preventing food and water-borne diseases can significantly lower the risk.
