Czech Republic fights expanding hepatitis A outbreak

Since the beginning of the year, over 2000 cases of hepatitis A have been reported across the Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary. The most affected country has been the Czech Republic, with 706 confirmed cases as of this week. Health authorities are reporting 30 to 40 new cases each week, with the highest numbers concentrated in Prague, Central Bohemia, and the Moravian-Silesian Region. The virus is spreading mainly among the homeless, drug users, and other social groups with limited access to healthcare and hygiene. Dr. Ole Heuer, Head of One Health at the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), said the outbreak confirms that hepatitis A is a dangerous disease, requiring public awareness, expanded access to vaccination, and better basic hygiene to be defeated. The ECDC also urged all countries in Central Europe to coordinate cross-border responses because the viral strain affecting them is the same.
In response to the outbreak, Czech health authorities are vaccinating several at-risk groups. However, it currently costs individuals about CZK 1,700 Czech to get two doses of the vaccine. National chief hygienist Barbora Macková has stated she is pursuing public health insurance reimbursement for the vaccine.