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Essential Information & Key Facts | [Topic of Article]
A concerning hepatitis A outbreak is rapidly spreading across Europe, with spikes in cases reported in several countries. Understand the critical details of the hepatitis A virus,including how it spreads thru contaminated sources,the risks involved,and effective prevention strategies. Discover the surge in infections noted in Austria, Czechia, Hungary, and Slovakia, and learn about the ECDC‘s response. Identify the demographics most at risk and the proactive measures to curb the spread of this hepatitis A outbreak. News directory 3 provides essential facts, including vaccination recommendations and the importance of public health awareness. Stay informed about the latest developments and the health guidance from experts working to combat this threat. Discover what’s next for public health.
Hepatitis A Outbreak Sweeps Across europe, Raising Public Health Concerns
Updated June 26, 2025
A multi-country outbreak of the hepatitis A virus (HAV) is prompting concern across Europe. The European Centre for disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) issued an alert following a surge in infections. Austria, Czechia, Hungary, and Slovakia are the most affected, with two closely related virus strains identified.
Genetic sequencing suggests the hepatitis A spread is due to ongoing person-to-person transmission within social networks and geographic areas. While Germany is not considered an affected country, officials have identified three cases with genomic profiles matching those in Hungary and Austria, indicating cross-border transmission.
The ECDC is urging public health authorities in the European union and European Economic Area to conduct epidemiologic investigations, implement targeted prevention measures, and engage in community outreach to control the hepatitis A outbreak and safeguard public health.
Since the beginning of the year, the four affected countries have reported a total of 2,097 cases: Slovakia (880), Austria (87), Czechia (600), and Hungary (530). Tragically, the disease has resulted in three deaths in Austria and six in Czechia.
HAV primarily spreads through contaminated food, water, or close contact with infected individuals. Risk factors include poor sanitation, lack of safe water, inadequate hygiene, risky sexual behaviors, recreational drug use, and travel to endemic areas.Symptomatic or severe hepatitis A is more likely in older individuals and those with weakened immune systems or chronic liver disease.
Currently, the outbreak disproportionately affects homeless adults, people who use or inject drugs, and those living in unsanitary conditions or with limited access to healthcare. Roma communities in Czechia and Slovakia have also reported cases.
While the detected strains are closely related, demographic differences exist among affected populations. Hungary’s cases are mainly in adults, while Czechia sees higher rates in young children (1-9 years) and young adults (25-44 years).
Slovakia, experiencing an outbreak since late 2022, is seeing declining case numbers, especially among children in Roma communities in eastern Slovakia. However, the ECDC notes a shift, with 47% of 2025 cases in roma communities and 20% among homeless adults and/or drug users. Smaller clusters have also emerged in preschools.
Austria’s case numbers continue to rise, already exceeding 2024 totals in the first five months of 2025. The majority of patients are male (68%), with ages ranging from 3 to 84 years (median 34 years). Hospitalization was required for 63% of cases with available information, and three deaths have been reported.
Kinga Kardics, MD, a tropical disease specialist at Semmelweis University in Budapest, Hungary, reports seeing one to three patients weekly with HAV infections. She explained that the virus transmits through contaminated sources and close contact.
Kardics said,”The virus can be transmitted through contaminated water,food,and via the fecal-oral route among close contacts: household members,sexual contacts,and children attending day care centers or schools.Among pediatric patients in Hungary, the main transmission route has been the fecal-oral route in schools and nurseries.”
Kardics added that men who have sex with men, children with immunodeficiencies, pregnant women, and patients with chronic liver diseases are also at increased risk.
According to Kardics, most HAV patients experience mild symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, loose stools, fever, and jaundice. Teenagers frequently enough experience abrupt onset with fever, malaise, and abdominal discomfort, with jaundice being the predominant symptom. Most pediatric patients are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms.
Kardics stated, “most patients recover spontaneously, are in good condition, and can stay at home until recovery…So far this year, the center at Semmelweis University has hospitalized about 10 children with hepatitis A infection.