Aussies travelling to Europe have been urged to get vaccinated after an outbreak of Hepatitis A in several popular tourist spots.
Thousands of cases have been confirmed across Austria, Czechia, Hungary, Slovakia and Germany, primarily in people living in poor sanitary conditions, people who inject drugs and adults experiencing homelessness.
However, tourists have been advised that anybody can contract the illness.
People below 40 have a moderate risk of falling very ill from the disease, while the risk is high for people over 40, with risk increasing with age.
The risk is also very high for people with predisposing liver disease and older adults.
The risk for the broader population in these countries is assessed as low to moderate.
People who contract hepatitis A do not usually report symptoms until several weeks later.
Initial symptoms include tiredness, weakness, sudden nausea and diarrhoea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, fever, dark urine, joint pain, intense itching and the yellowing of the skin.
The Mayo Clinic said symptoms may be mild and pass in a few weeks.
But hepatitis A can be more serious, long-lasting and sometimes fatal.
The virus causes liver inflammation and can impact the organ’s ability to function.
Getting vaccinated or receiving an injection of immunoglobin within two weeks of contracting the virus may prevent you from developing the disease.
The most common ways of catching the virus are from contaminated food and water or close contact with someone who has it.
European countries experiencing Hep. A outbreak
Austria: Austria has reported 87 confirmed cases of hepatitis A, with another 44 non-confirmed cases under investigation.
43 cases were in Vienna, where three deaths were reported.
The number of cases in 2025 has already surpassed 2024 case numbers.
Czechia: Czechia reported 600 confirmed cases of hepatitis A with 63 per cent being men.
Children aged one to nine years old were the most affected age group followed by adults aged 24-44.
Six deaths were reported.
Hungary: Hungary reported 530 confirmed cases and 641 suspected cases under investigation.
Cases were mainly adults, with one cluster affecting 57 adults.
No deaths were reported.
Slovakia: Slovakia has seen a significant spike in hepatitis A cases since the end of 2022.
A total of 850 cases have been reported with no associated deaths; 60 per cent were men.
Nearly half were associated with the Roma community.
Germany: Germany has reported three cases of hepatitis A.
The three cases involved two women and one man who reported drug use.
There have not been any fatal cases in Germany.
