Official: Hepatitis A outbreak in Hungary – here’s what you need to know

The National Centre for Public Health said that in the first two months of this year, the number of infectious patients reported with suspected hepatitis A infection increased sevenfold compared to the same period last year.

Hepatitis A epidemic in Hungary

The most affected areas are Budapest, Pest and Fejér counties. They write that “the infection is expected to spread further, and the National Centre for Public Health and Pharmacy (NNGYK) has asked health professionals to consider this possibility when caring for patients, informing them about the spread of the virus and the possibilities of prevention”.

The disease caused by the hepatitis A virus is rare in developed countries and is a childhood disease in developing countries, with almost everyone surviving to adulthood. The virus is spread through contaminated faeces, water, ice and food. In rare cases, it can also be transmitted sexually. The infection is most common in places with poor hygiene and where water is not cleaned and where there is an inadequate supply of fresh water,” the statement said.

Vaccination against hepatitis A is recommended for people at risk. Those at increased risk include “those who travel to infected subtropical or tropical countries, live in or travel to places with inadequate sanitation (e.g. toilets with cavities or lack of running water), or who live with an underlying disease (e.g. This also includes people at increased risk of hepatitis A infection due to their lifestyle (e.g. intravenous drug users, MSM population)”.