Overview

• The hepatitis A outbreak in the Czech Republic has seen a sharp rise in cases, with 450 reported infections and six deaths as of May 5, 2025, compared to 636 cases and two deaths for all of 2024.
• Regions most affected include Central Bohemia (87 cases), Moravia-Silesia (83 cases), and Prague (73 cases).
• The disease is spreading primarily due to poor hygiene and is affecting children, young adults, drug users, and homeless populations.
• The UK Foreign Office has advised travelers to avoid raw or unpeeled produce, ice, tap water, and undercooked seafood in affected areas to reduce the risk of infection.
• Hepatitis A has a long incubation period of 14–50 days and is more severe in adults, especially those over 50 or with chronic liver conditions, with mortality rates reaching up to 1.8% in these groups.