Hepatitis A cases in the Czech Republic have reached their highest level in 15 years, with infections rising sharply in Prague and surrounding regions. Health experts are warning of further spread and advising the public to maintain strict hand hygiene and consider vaccination.
By the end of July, more than 1,000 cases had been recorded nationwide – a figure not seen since 2009. In comparison, just 636 infections were reported during the whole of 2024, according to the National Institute of Public Health (SZÚ). The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) had already issued a warning in June about outbreaks in Central Europe, with Slovakia, Austria and Hungary also reporting elevated numbers.
The virus is primarily transmitted through contaminated hands that have come into contact with tiny traces of faeces. It can survive for several hours on skin and for days on objects. Outbreaks often occur in nurseries, schools and other places with large gatherings, and infected individuals can remain contagious for up to 50 days.
According to the news channel ČT24, Prague has reported the highest number of cases (370), followed by the Central Bohemian Region (181) and the Moravian-Silesian Region (113).
Early symptoms often mimic flu, including fever, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal pain and general malaise. Later signs of liver inflammation may develop, such as yellowing of the skin and eyes, dark urine, pale stools and itching. Strikingly, nine in ten infected people show no symptoms at all, yet the virus remains highly transmissible when hygiene guidelines are not observed.
To contain the spread, the SZÚ is focusing on targeted vaccinations for homeless people and other at-risk groups, as well as post-exposure jabs for those in contact with infected individuals. Experts also recommend vaccination for the wider population. The course consists of two doses and costs around 1,700 Czech crowns, which recipients currently have to pay for themselves.
