At least four European countries frequented by Australian tourists have reported outbreaks of the highly contagious Hepatitis A virus.
A significant increase in the liver infection has been reported in Austria, Czechia, Hungary, and Slovakia from January to May – with a total of 2097 cases this year.
Slovakia, which has had an outbreak since late 2022, reported 880 cases this year.
Austria has recorded 87 cases including three deaths, and Czechia has seen 600 cases including six deaths, with young children being the most affected group.
Hungary has experienced 530 cases, mainly among adults, and Germany – though not labelled an affected country – had three cases matching Hungary and Austria.
A spokesperson for the Interim Australian Centre for Disease Control has warned Australians to take care regarding the current outbreak in Europe.
‘Australian travellers should be aware that hepatitis A is highly contagious,’ they told The Daily Telegraph.
‘You can get infected after ingesting the virus by: eating contaminated raw food… drinking contaminated water… handling soiled nappies, linen or towels of an infectious person; sharing personal items with an infectious person…having close or intimate contact with an infectious person.’
People can catch hepatitis A through close physical contact with someone who has it, including through oral or anal sex (spore-forming bacteria is pictured)
At least four European countries frequented by Australian tourists have reported outbreaks of the highly contagious Hepatitis A virus (pictured, travellers at Sydney Airport)
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control issued a risk assessment on Hepatitis A (HAV) on June 18.
‘This outbreak reminds us that hepatitis A can cause serious illness and death, especially among people with limited access to healthcare and basic hygiene,’ it said.
‘Vaccination and good hygiene are the best ways to protect against hepatitis A infection.’
The centre’s head of unit for One Health Related Diseases said the group would need to ‘strengthen outreach’ through access to vaccination and basic sanitation.
Hepatitis A, which is caused by a virus spread via contaminated faeces making its way into food and drink, is not common in Australia.
The virus typically spreads through a lack of clean water and by not cleaning things correctly, Hepatitis Australia said.
People can also get hepatitis A through close physical contact with someone who has it, including through oral or anal sex.
Almost everyone who has the virus will recover, but a small number can get very sick or die from liver failure.
A significant increase in the liver infection has been reported in Austria, Czechia, Hungary , and Slovakia from January to May – with a total of 2097 cases this year (stock)
The majority of people affected are those aged 50 years or older, or who have other health issues (like hepatitis B or C).
Smartraveller’s advice for Australians to avoid infectious diseases including Hepatitis A also suggested a range of sanitation measures.
‘Wash your hands often and use hand sanitiser before you eat,’ the advice said.
‘Drink bottled water from a sealed bottle.’
Smartraveller also suggested using water-sterilising tablets or filtration bottles to make tap water safe and washing fresh produce with bottled or sterilised water.
Australians are advised to avoid drinks with ice cubes, uncooked or undercooked food, fresh salads and raw vegetables.
They are also told to avoid contact with water or soil that may be contaminated with sewage and, in some places, swimming or wading in any fresh water.
Signs of the infection include a high temperature, flu-like symptoms – such as fatigue, headache and muscle pains – feeling or being sick, abdominal pain, changes in bowel movements, pale grey coloured faeces and itchy skin.
In more severe cases, a patient’s skin and eyes may appear yellow, a condition known as jaundice and a serious sign the liver is struggling to function correctly.
