The Foreign Office-backed Travel Health Pro site has issued a stark warning to Brits planning to visit Prague, one of the UK’s most beloved holiday destinations, due to a significant outbreak of a potentially severe disease.
The Czech capital, a popular choice for stag and hen parties, is currently experiencing a surge in hepatitis A cases.
Travel Health Pro, the official UK Government outlet operated by the Foreign Office, revealed that as of 5 May 2025, there have been 450 confirmed cases of hepatitis A in the Czech Republic, resulting in six fatalities.
This figure marks a substantial increase from 2024, when 636 cases were reported throughout the year, leading to two deaths. Central Bohemia, Moravia-Silesia, and Prague are the regions with the highest number of cases so far in 2025.
The Czech Health Ministry warned: “The disease, also known as infectious jaundice, is spreading not only among children but also among adolescents and young adults, and among people with risky behaviour, especially among drug addicts and homeless people. Transmission occurs mainly as a result of poor hygiene conditions.”
MUDr. Barbora Macková, MHA, Chief hygienist and director of the SZÚ, has raised the alarm over a dramatic rise in Hepatitis A cases, stating: “When we compare the figures for the whole of last year and just four months of this year, it is clear that we are seeing a sharp increase in cases. Hepatitis A affects regions across the country.
“The regions of Central Bohemia – 87, Moravia-Silesia – 83 and Prague – 73 report the most cases. The number of susceptible individuals in the population is gradually increasing, i.e. those who have not yet encountered the disease or are not vaccinated.”
She further warned, “They are therefore more likely to become infected when in contact with an infected person or objects. In addition to the child population, the spread of HAV has also been recorded in the population of adolescents and young adults and people with risky behaviour, especially among drug addicts and homeless people.”
Dr Macková also highlighted the challenges in containing the outbreak: “The transmission of the infection occurs mainly as a result of poor hygiene conditions. Due to the long incubation period, often asymptomatic course, and increasing non-compliance with prescribed anti-epidemic measures and basic hygiene habits, the infection has very good conditions for ‘spreading.'”.
Officials have warned that the course of the disease in adults is often more severe than in children, where it typically presents without symptoms and spreads easily. They noted that around 10% of patients might experience a complicated course of the disease, with recovery lasting several months.
In rare cases, a rapid progression can lead to liver failure and death. Mortality rates are generally low, at 0.1–0.3%, but this can increase to 1.8% in individuals over 50 or those with pre-existing chronic liver conditions.
Czech health authorities have issued guidance for holidaymakers to prevent illness. Deputy head of the Department of Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases of the SZÚ, MUDr. Kateřina Fabiánová, Ph. D, advised: “Especially for travellers, it is recommended to avoid consuming raw salads and vegetables, fruit that you cannot peel yourself, ice cream, raw or semi-raw seafood, and oysters are especially dangerous. In general, it is good to avoid undercooked foods and not use ice in drinks.”
She added: “Especially in countries with lower hygiene standards, it is not recommended to use water from public taps, even for brushing teeth. It is good to follow the basic rule of the World Health Organisation for preparing food in exotic countries: boil, bake, peel, or leave it alone.”
With hepatitis A largely asymptomatic in children and people becoming infectious during incubation, health officials are concerned that many more might be affected.
What’s the timescale for symptoms?
Prof Fabiánová explained: “The incubation period of viral Hepatitis A, i.e. the time from infection of a person to the development of symptoms of the disease, is 14-50 days, most often 30 days. The contagious period begins in the second half of the incubation period, when the virus is already present in the stool, i.e. usually 1 to 2 weeks before the onset of the disease itself. Contagion then lasts 1 to 2 weeks after the onset of the disease.
“The spread of HAV is most often through the stool of an infected person. This involves both direct transmission, from person to person, for example, with dirty hands, and indirect transmission, through contaminated water or food and contaminated objects, for example, we are talking about door handles, handles, handles, in short, places frequently touched by people.”
Certain travellers are at increased risk of acquiring hepatitis A, including:
- Those who are staying with or visiting the local population.
- Frequent and/or long-stay travellers to areas where sanitation and food hygiene are likely to be poor.
- Those with existing medical conditions such as liver disease or haemophilia.
- Men who have sex with men.
- People who inject drugs.
- Those who may be exposed to the virus through their work.
- Those going to areas of hepatitis A outbreaks who have limited access to safe water and medical care.
Prevention
As the most common mode of infection in travellers is consumption of contaminated food or water. The risk of acquiring hepatitis A can be reduced by ensuring good personal hygiene and following advice on the prevention of food and water-borne diseases.
For more information on Hepatitis A, visit Travel Health Pro.
