Hepatitis A in the Czech Republic

13 May 2025

The Czech National Institute of Public Health reports widespread occurrence of hepatitis A in 2025. On 5 May 2025, it was reported that there had been 450 cases of hepatitis A (including 6 deaths) in the first four months of the year.

Affected areas include Central Bohemia, Moravia-Silesia and Prague. Children and adolescents and young adults have been affected, as well as higher risk groups such as homeless people and those who use drugs.

Recommendations for Travellers

To protect yourself from hepatitis A when travelling:

• pay strict attention to your hand hygiene, especially before meals and after using the toilet
• practice safe food and water precautions - foods that have been washed or grown in unclean water e.g. shellfish, berries and salad vegetables, have previously caused outbreaks
• take care with your personal hygiene, particularly during activities that involve close physical contact with a potentially infected person
• consider if you may need to be vaccinated against Hepatitis A before you go

Vaccination

Vaccination against hepatitis A is recommended, depending on risk assessment, for:

• people travelling to countries where there is a high risk of hepatitis A circulating in the local population
• people who are at higher risk of infection from their job or lifestyle, or have an increased chance of becoming severely ill with the infection, such as:
• men who have sex with other men
• people who inject illegal drugs
• people with existing medical conditions such as liver disease or haemophilia (clotting disorder)
• pregnant women
• close contacts of someone with hepatitis A
• people who may be exposed to hepatitis A through their job (e.g. healthcare, sewage, laboratory workers)

For further information see the fitfortravel hepatitis A page