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The Irish Sun
19-06-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Urgent warning over alarming spike in virus that ‘can cause serious illness and death' in 4 European holiday hotspots
FOUR Brit-favourite holiday hotspots have seen spikes in a fatal and fast-spreading 'dirty hands disease'. Hundreds have fallen ill, and some have died, as 5 Hep A can cause jaundice, making the skin and the whites of your eyes turn yellow Credit: Alamy 5 The virus inflames the liver, stopping it from working properly Credit: Getty 5 In the Czech Republic, 600 cases of hep A have been confirmed in 2025, including six deaths Credit: Getty The potentially deadly virus is spread via the poo of infected people, which is why Czech health chiefs nicknamed it 'dirty hands disease' in a It inflames and damages the liver, stopping it from working properly. This means it can't clear a substance called bilirubin from the body. When bilirubin builds up, it causes It can also lead to dark urine and cause itchy skin. Read more on hep A But in some cases, people show no symptoms at all - making it even easier for the virus to spread unnoticed among crowds. While many recover without serious issues, in severe cases, the liver damage can become life-threatening, leading to According to a Slovakia, which has been experiencing an ongoing outbreak since late 2022, has reported 880 cases reported in 2025 alone. Most read in Health This year, Austria has recorded 87 confirmed cases, including three deaths, already exceeding its 2024 total. In Czechia, 600 cases have been confirmed in 2025, including six deaths, with young children being the most affected group. Hungary has reported 530 cases this year, mainly among adults. Germany, while not officially affected, has detected three cases genetically linked to outbreaks in Hungary and Austria, suggesting the outbreak might be gaining traction in Western Europe. The increase in hep A cases is mainly hitting unvaccinated adults who are homeless, use or inject drugs, or live in poor sanitary conditions without much access to healthcare. There have also been cases reported in Roma communities in Czechia and Slovakia. Czech have previously officials urged anyone planning to visit the country to check their vaccine records and get jabbed before travelling. "In the current epidemiological situation, we recommend getting vaccinated before the start of holidays and vacations," Dr Barbora Macková, chief hygienist and director of the SZÚ said in a statement. 5 Austria has recorded 87 confirmed cases, including three deaths Credit: Getty 5 Slovakia has been experiencing an ongoing outbreak since late 2022 Credit: Getty Hep A vaccines are not routinely given out in the UK due to the low risk of getting the infection. But the NHS does advise the jab for travellers heading to places where the virus is more common. These include parts of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Central and South America. You should also get vaccinated if you've recently been close to someone with hep A. If you have long-term liver disease or a blood clotting disorder like Men who have sex with men and people with jobs that expose them to the virus, like healthcare or sewage workers, should also be vaccinated. Speak to your GP if you think you need a hep A vaccine. What are the symptoms of Hepatitis A? Symptoms can include: Feeling tired and generally unwell Joint and muscle pain A high temperature (fever) Loss of appetite Feeling or being sick Pain in the upper-right part of your tummy Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) Dark urine and pale stools Itchy skin Source:
The Irish Sun
22-05-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Warning as popular stag do hotspot hit by potentially fatal ‘yellowing disease' that's ‘spreading fast' infecting 450
BRITS jetting off to a popular stag and hen hotspot have been urged to get jabbed amid a fast-spreading outbreak of 'dirty hands disease'. Hundreds have fallen ill as 2 Prague has seen a surge in hep A cases Credit: Getty 2 The disease can leave your skin and the whites of your eyes yellow Credit: Getty The potentially deadly virus is spread via the poo of infected people, which is why Czech health chiefs have nicknamed it 'dirty hands disease'. The virus inflames the liver, stopping it from working properly. This means it can't clear a substance called bilirubin from the body. When bilirubin builds up, it causes It can also lead to dark urine and cause itchy skin. Read more on hep a But in some cases, people show no symptoms at all - making it even easier for the virus to spread unnoticed among crowds. As of May 5, the Czech Republic has recorded 450 confirmed cases of hepatitis A (Hep A), with six deaths reported. That's a sharp rise compared to all of 2024, which saw 636 cases and two fatalities. The hardest-hit areas so far are Central Bohemia (87 cases), Moravia-Silesia (83), and Prague (73). Most read in Health The disease is mostly spreading among young adults and the homeless who have not been vaccinated. "They are therefore more likely to become infected when in contact with an infected person or objects," Dr Barbora Macková, chief hygienist and director of the SZÚ said in a statement. Leading consultant hepatologist, Dr Patrick Kennedy explains the different types, and the complications of hepatitis "Increasing non-compliance with prescribed anti-epidemic measures and basic hygiene habits, the infection has very good conditions for "spreading", she added in the release shared on the UK's Travel Health Pros website. Brits — and anyone planning to visit the Czech Republic — are being urged to check their vaccine records and get jabbed before travelling. "In the current epidemiological situation, we recommend getting vaccinated before the start of holidays and vacations, "Dr Barbora added. Hep A vaccines are not routinely given out in the UK due to the low risk of getting the infection. But the NHS does advise the jab for travellers heading to places where the virus is more common. These include parts of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Central and South America. What are the symptoms of Hepatitis A? Symptoms can include: feeling tired and generally unwell joint and muscle pain a high temperature (fever) loss of appetite feeling or being sick pain in the upper-right part of your tummy yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) dark urine and pale stools itchy skin Source: You should also get vaccinated if you've recently been close to someone with hepatitis A. If you have long-term liver disease or a blood clotting disorder like Men who have sex with men and people with jobs that expose them to the virus - like healthcare or sewage workers - should also be vaccinated. Speak to your GP if you think you need a hepatitis A vaccine.
Scottish Sun
22-05-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Warning as popular stag do hotspot hit by potentially fatal ‘yellowing disease' that's ‘spreading fast' infecting 450
Those planning to visit the Czech Republic are being urged to check their vaccine records and get jabbed before travelling STAG FLU Warning as popular stag do hotspot hit by potentially fatal 'yellowing disease' that's 'spreading fast' infecting 450 BRITS jetting off to a popular stag and hen hotspot have been urged to get jabbed amid a fast-spreading outbreak of 'dirty hands disease'. Hundreds have fallen ill as hepatitis A sweeps through parts of the Czech Republic — including Prague, a favourite with British partygoers. Advertisement 2 Prague has seen a surge in hep A cases Credit: Getty 2 The disease can leave your skin and the whites of your eyes yellow Credit: Getty The potentially deadly virus is spread via the poo of infected people, which is why Czech health chiefs have nicknamed it 'dirty hands disease'. The virus inflames the liver, stopping it from working properly. This means it can't clear a substance called bilirubin from the body. When bilirubin builds up, it causes jaundice — making your skin and the whites of your eyes turn yellow. It can also lead to dark urine and cause itchy skin. Advertisement But in some cases, people show no symptoms at all - making it even easier for the virus to spread unnoticed among crowds. As of May 5, the Czech Republic has recorded 450 confirmed cases of hepatitis A, with six deaths reported. That's a sharp rise compared to all of 2024, which saw 636 cases and two fatalities. The hardest-hit areas so far are Central Bohemia (87 cases), Moravia-Silesia (83), and Prague (73). Advertisement The disease is mostly spreading among young adults and the homeless who have not been vaccinated. "They are therefore more likely to become infected when in contact with an infected person or objects," Dr Barbora Macková, chief hygienist and director of the SZÚ said in a statement. Leading consultant hepatologist, Dr Patrick Kennedy explains the different types, and the complications of hepatitis "Increasing non-compliance with prescribed anti-epidemic measures and basic hygiene habits, the infection has very good conditions for "spreading", she added in the release shared on the UK's Travel Health Pros webiste. Brits — and anyone planning to visit the Czech Republic — are being urged to check their vaccine records and get jabbed before travelling. Advertisement "In the current epidemiological situation, we recommend getting vaccinated before the start of holidays and vacations, "Dr Barbora added. Hep A vaccines are not routinely given out in the UK due to the low risk of getting the infection. But the NHS does advise the jab for travellers heading to places where the virus is more common. These include parts of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Central and South America. Advertisement What are the symptoms of Hepatitis A? Symptoms can include: feeling tired and generally unwell joint and muscle pain a high temperature (fever) loss of appetite feeling or being sick pain in the upper-right part of your tummy yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) dark urine and pale stools itchy skin Source: The NHS You should also get vaccinated if you've recently been close to someone with hepatitis A. If you have long-term liver disease or a blood clotting disorder like haemophilia, you should get the jab. Men who have sex with men and people with jobs that expose them to the virus - like healthcare or sewage workers - should also be vaccinated. Speak to your GP if you think you need a hepatitis A vaccine. Advertisement
The Sun
22-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Warning as popular stag do hotspot hit by potentially fatal ‘yellowing disease' that's ‘spreading fast' infecting 450
BRITS jetting off to a popular stag and hen hotspot have been urged to get jabbed amid a fast-spreading outbreak of 'dirty hands disease'. Hundreds have fallen ill as hepatitis A sweeps through parts of the Czech Republic — including Prague, a favourite with British partygoers. 2 2 The potentially deadly virus is spread via the poo of infected people, which is why Czech health chiefs have nicknamed it 'dirty hands disease'. The virus inflames the liver, stopping it from working properly. This means it can't clear a substance called bilirubin from the body. When bilirubin builds up, it causes jaundice — making your skin and the whites of your eyes turn yellow. It can also lead to dark urine and cause itchy skin. But in some cases, people show no symptoms at all - making it even easier for the virus to spread unnoticed among crowds. As of May 5, the Czech Republic has recorded 450 confirmed cases of hepatitis A (Hep A), with six deaths reported. That's a sharp rise compared to all of 2024, which saw 636 cases and two fatalities. The hardest-hit areas so far are Central Bohemia (87 cases), Moravia-Silesia (83), and Prague (73). The disease is mostly spreading among young adults and the homeless who have not been vaccinated. "They are therefore more likely to become infected when in contact with an infected person or objects," Dr Barbora Macková, chief hygienist and director of the SZÚ said in a statement. Leading consultant hepatologist, Dr Patrick Kennedy explains the different types, and the complications of hepatitis "Increasing non-compliance with prescribed anti-epidemic measures and basic hygiene habits, the infection has very good conditions for "spreading", she added in the release shared on the UK's Travel Health Pros website. Brits — and anyone planning to visit the Czech Republic — are being urged to check their vaccine records and get jabbed before travelling. "In the current epidemiological situation, we recommend getting vaccinated before the start of holidays and vacations, "Dr Barbora added. Hep A vaccines are not routinely given out in the UK due to the low risk of getting the infection. But the NHS does advise the jab for travellers heading to places where the virus is more common. These include parts of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Central and South America. You should also get vaccinated if you've recently been close to someone with hepatitis A. If you have long-term liver disease or a blood clotting disorder like haemophilia, you should get the jab. Men who have sex with men and people with jobs that expose them to the virus - like healthcare or sewage workers - should also be vaccinated. Speak to your GP if you think you need a hepatitis A vaccine.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Hepatitis A is spreading rapidly in the Czech Republic with 6 deaths so far. Here's what we know
The Czech Republic is seeing a surge of hepatitis A infections that does not appear to be slowing down. The country recorded 450 cases and six deaths from hepatitis A in the first four months of 2025, compared with 636 cases and two deaths all of last year. But Czech health officials said the actual number of infections is likely much higher because of how difficult it is to track the spread of the virus, which causes liver inflammation that can be fatal in rare cases. 'We know from experience that even one confirmed case can subsequently mean a big problem,' the State Health Institute (SZÚ) said in a statement. It's not a common infection. In 2022, there were 4,548 cases reported across 30 European countries. Related European countries are falling short on fight against HIV, TB and STIs, health authorities warn Here's what we know so far about the developing hepatitis A situation in the Czech Republic. People can be infected after contact with a sick person's stool, for example, via unwashed hands, contaminated food or water, or dirty door handles. Places with poor sanitation and hygiene are the ideal breeding ground for the virus. Most infected people do not have symptoms, but about 10 per cent experience serious health problems that can lead to liver failure and death, Czech officials said. Adults aged 50 and older and people who already have chronic liver disease are at higher risk. Other symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, nausea, and jaundice, which is when the eyes and skin take on a yellow hue. Related 'I was scared': Half of Europeans living with hepatitis struggle to tell others about diagnosis It usually takes two to four weeks for infected people to develop symptoms, and they can shed the virus for a week or two beforehand, meaning people can spread hepatitis A without even knowing they are infected. The capital city, Prague, and the surrounding Central Bohemian region, as well as the Moravia-Silesian region bordering Poland and Slovakia, have reported the most hepatitis A cases this year. The virus is spreading among children, teenagers, young adults, and people engaged in 'risky behaviour,' officials said. In Prague, for example, nearly one in three patients are homeless, and many use drugs. But the number of people who are susceptible to hepatitis A because they have not been vaccinated or in contact with the virus is 'gradually increasing,' they added. Related Living with a chronic health condition in Europe: Which OECD countries are leading the way? Health officials encouraged people to get vaccinated against hepatitis A. Two doses taken six to 18 months apart can help protect people against infection. The jab, which costs approximately 1,700 CZK (around €68), is not required, but it is included in some health insurance programmes, officials said. Because many infected people are homeless, Czech health workers have distributed the vaccine to shelters for free. People who work closely with drug users and those living on the streets are also being vaccinated in Prague. Related How well are countries in Europe dealing with health issues? New report shows progress is stagnating But 'it is very difficult for these people to comply with anti-epidemic measures, and contact tracing is especially problematic,' making it harder to control the spread of the virus, officials said. Last year, officials tracked down 6,375 contacts of people infected with hepatitis A. People identified as close contacts who have not been vaccinated are prohibited from going to public swimming pools, saunas, summer camps, or other big events.
