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Hepatitis A in the Czech Republic (Usti nad Labem)

20 Nov 2017

On 16 November 2017 media reported  an ongoing outbreak of hepatitis A in Ustí nad Labem, north of Prague, with 30 new cases (including 17 children) reported in the last 6 days.

Since August 2017, 276 cases have been reported and a vaccination programme is underway.

Recommendations for Travellers

Hepatitis A is spread by the faecal-oral route and most travellers to the affected areas of California will be at low risk of infection.   

Prevention is focused on food and water precautions and practising meticulous hand and personal hygiene to reduce the risk of hepatitis A infection. Detailed risk management advice can be found via following links:

Vaccination is recommended if you are visiting areas where drinking water may be unsafe and where hygiene and sanitation is poor. Men who have sex with men are at higher risk of hepatitis A infection. There are various brands of hepatitis A vaccine available: Avaxim, Havrix Monodose, Havrix Junior Monodose and Vaqta Paediatric.

Hepatitis A vaccine is also available in a preparation that combines it with hepatitis B vaccine: Ambirix, Twinrix and Twinrix Paediatric and a preparation that combines it with typhoid vaccine: Hepatyrix and ViATIM.

For further information see Hepatitis A.