Forget about Prague and the Czech Republic. The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against trips due to jaundice

Since the beginning of the year, nearly 2,600 cases of hepatitis A have been recorded in the Czech Republic, informed the local State Institute of Public Health (SZU). This is four times more than during the entire last year. The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against traveling to the Czech Republic.

As reported by SZU on Wednesday, this year 2,597 cases of hepatitis A have been recorded in the Czech Republic, while 636 such infections were detected throughout 2024. Data indicate that jaundice spreads in all age groups, although people aged 30 to 45 and children between 5 and 9 years of age most often suffer from it.

By far the most cases, as many as 1,108, were recorded in Prague and the Central Bohemian region – 418. According to data published by SZU, most of the infected were admitted to hospital, although in the case of 322 people this was not possible, including: due to lack of available beds.

Since the beginning of the year, 29 people have died due to hepatitis A in the Czech Republic. Men predominate among the registered deaths, mainly with other health problems such as alcoholism or drug addiction. Specialists point out that the problem is particularly serious in Prague, because for a long time infections have ceased to be limited to people from the risk group, including people with poor hygiene habits.

Due to the difficult epidemiological situation, the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs appealed to avoid traveling to the Czech Republic. The ministry reminded that travelers going to our southern neighbors should take special care of hand hygiene and avoid eating meals from unknown sources. The resort recommends using proven establishments and drinking only bottled water.

Experts emphasize that the most effective form of protection against hepatitis A is vaccination. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it will update recommendations for travelers if the situation changes.

Tomasz Dawid Jędruchów (PAP)

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