Czechia battles worst Hepatitis A outbreak in decades
The spread of hepatitis A in Prague has been accelerating at an alarming rate. In the past week alone, doctors in the Czech capital have reported more than 60 new cases of this highly contagious disease, roughly the same number recorded in the previous three years combined. The virus is now starting to spread beyond the city to other regions.
According to the National Institute of Public Health, there were 1,842 cases of hepatitis A nationwide as of October 5, the second-highest figure since 1989. So far, 21 people have died as a result of the disease.
Since the beginning of the year, health officials have reported nearly 890 cases in the capital, including almost 160 cases involving children. Prague remains the epicentre of the outbreak, accounting for more than 40 percent of all infections in the country.
Petra Batók, spokeswoman for the Prague Hygiene Station, says the situation is indeed serious.
“In Prague, we are already talking about a local epidemic, and the rising number of infections is beginning to spill over into other regions. So yes, it’s really important to pay attention to the situation.”
In reaction to the rise in cases, the Prague Transport Company has increased disinfection of its vehicles. While Batók welcomes this step, she says the most effective way to limit transmission is still through good personal hygiene and vaccination.
Epidemiologist Petr Smejkal from the Institute of Clinical and Experimental Medicine agrees.
“The virus can survive on surfaces for a long time, so regular disinfection and handwashing are even more important here than they were with COVID. But vaccination is always much more reliable, because after two doses, immunity lasts a lifetime.”
Experts say vaccination remains the most effective form of protection. The challenge, however, is making it affordable and accessible. Each dose costs about CZK 1,000 and two are required—making it out of reach for many, especially those most at risk of infection.
Smejkal says this is where the state should step in.
“Many people can’t afford it, especially considering that hepatitis A tends to spread among socially disadvantaged groups. Even when they know they should get vaccinated, the price discourages them. This is absolutely crucial. Even if we vaccinated people for free, it would still cost less than treating patients with liver failure, hospitalizations, transplants, and all the other complications. So at least this year, vaccination should be much cheaper.”
More than 112,000 people in Czechia have already been vaccinated this year—nearly twice as many as in 2024. The Ministry of Health says that due to the surge in demand, vaccines may be temporarily unavailable in some areas, particularly for children, but emergency deliveries have already taken place and more supplies are on the way.
Meanwhile, experts have warned that the epidemic has not yet reached its peak. Petra Batók again:
“There is a general view among experts that the infection will move between regions, depending on how each area responds. People in Prague are now getting vaccinated quickly, and some are recovering from the disease, which increases immunity here. As immunity rises, the disease may shift to regions where it is lower.”
