The Czech Republic has reported its highest number of hepatitis-A cases in the past 15 years, according to the National Institute of Public Health (SZU). As of the end of July 2025, 1,053 cases have already been recorded, far surpassing the 636 cases reported in the whole of 2024.

From January to the end of July this year, 1,053 cases were recorded, compared with only 168 in the same period last year. During January–July 2024, there were only 168 cases, highlighting a sharp increase. This year has also seen 10 deaths linked to hepatitis A, compared with just 2 deaths during all of 2024.

By contrast, the total number of cases in 2024 was 636 for the entire year, a figure already exceeded by July 2025. This year, the highest numbers of cases have been reported in Prague (370), the Central Bohemian Region (181), and the Moravian-Silesian Region (113). SZU noted that outbreaks are concentrated among vulnerable groups such as homeless individuals, drug users, and people living in poor sanitation environments.

Hepatitis A is a viral liver disease transmitting through contaminated water, food, or direct contact with an infected person. Health officials also call it the “dirty hands disease” because of its faecal-oral transmission route. Strict hand washing and safe food practices are emphasized.

The infection, also known as infectious jaundice, is affecting not only children but also teenagers, young adults, and people with high-risk behaviours — particularly drug users and the slum living people. It is most commonly transmitted due to poor hygiene conditions and close contact in groups, according to the SZU.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has also warned for the increase in the transmission of the infection in Central Europe, with similar developments observed in Slovakia, Austria, and Hungary. Between January and May 2025, the ECDC recorded 2,097 cases across Austria, Czechia, Hungary, and Slovakia, with Czechia reporting the highest toll and six deaths by mid-year.

Commenting on the ECDC assessment, SZU Director Barbora Mackova said in June that the situation in the Czech Republic is not dramatic, but it should not be underestimated. Travellers are now being urged to get vaccinated against hepatitis A before visiting the country, especially to hotspots such as Prague, and to avoid unboiled water, raw unprocessed food and unsafe street food.

Sources

https://www.deshsewak.org/english/news/211997

https://news.google.com/read/CBMirAFBVV95cUxOLTRQOHQyT1V5em02ekJ3Vlh5RXVRQVBxN0t5TDUzSlRCZmthZExfWC1QZDBHRGlyX2V3eG5vMzFuN3hMN1pYUHhQWVVUNHZDYm9lU25fNTVEcWlMdFVOSk1vMmdKeUE5MmtrX2RYZklEc2huWTBHRW5zN0I5c3pnMXhjcmtEWWtHTWRFaEdiRktJdTQ1M3k0MGtoamxQam5EN2NaWEVnajRLRUJT0gGyAUFVX3lxTE1uc3IwbW9kVnZJbGN0ZHN2a2NMMFZ1eEZsX0dIajZ1MWF2SGdTZTRCdjNselJFYTVPYllMOG1XcEtiM01vSTdOeXRyUW5XaHVoWVpwalg0WEIzcTAzRWpDc25nSk01N0lDR1U5R0lsUzIxRl9weE56Q2MtdmZ5T1lEUzAtOEFWM3lYM2VLX2dwU1B5ajh4X21lb01xTmtrU2JIT1JVX05OeUZjaVY5OGg4TUE?hl=en-IN&gl=IN&ceid=IN%3Aen