Hepatitis A cases is increasing significantly in the Czech Republic
Since the beginning of this year, officials in the Czech Republic have already recorded 320 cases March 28 of viral hepatitis A in the country.
The data from last year, when we recorded 636 infected people including two deaths, indicated the gradual spread of the infection across the entire republic, and this trend unfortunately continues.
Hepatitis A virus (HAV) occurs worldwide, more often in places where there is a problem with low hygiene standards. Due to the characteristics of the infection and the method of transmission, HAV mainly affects children and young adults. The infection is also known as the disease of dirty hands, because failure to observe basic hygiene habits contributes significantly to its spread. It is the biggest problem in young children, in socially excluded communities, among homeless people, in hostels, etc. The virus is also transmitted through dirty, contaminated water; for example, ice cubes prepared from contaminated water are dangerous. Therefore, in exotic countries, it is not recommended to use water from public taps or for brushing teeth. The hepatitis A virus can also be transmitted through food; for example, salads, fruit or other uncooked foods that have been washed with contaminated water before eating can be harmful. Transmission is also possible through contaminated objects, such as door handles or handles in means of transport, in short, places and objects frequently touched by people to which the virus adheres.
Hepatitis A and the Hep A vaccine
"The introduction of preventive hygiene measures, including high-quality drinking water and a wastewater management system, has historically led to a decrease in the incidence of VHA in the Czech Republic. However, the decrease in incidence combined with the absence of vaccination against this infection has resulted in an increasing percentage of people without protective antibodies, who are highly susceptible to infection. This applies primarily to children and young adults. These are individuals who have not yet encountered the disease and are more likely to become infected through contact with an infected person or contaminated objects. This is evidenced by local epidemics in the susceptible population in recent years," describes the development of the Deputy Head of the Department of Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, MUDr. Kateřina Fabiánová, Ph.D.
Increased incidences of viral hepatitis A in the Czech Republic were recorded in the late 1990s, in 2008-2010 and 2016-2017. The incidence is usually highest in preschool and school children, but in the late 1990s, increased incidence was also recorded in the age groups 15–19 and 20–24. This was mainly due to the increasing proportion of adolescents and young adults with risky behavior, especially drug addicts.
The transmission of the disease, not only in this population, occurs mainly due to poor hygiene conditions. The number of diseases that travelers bring from abroad has also increased, especially from exotic countries with lower hygiene standards, but even staying in first-class hotels in countries with a high incidence of viral hepatitis A is not a guarantee of protection against this infection.
"320 cases in the first quarter of this year show that the trend of rapidly increasing cases from last year has not stopped. With the upcoming period of increased travel, for example for recreation, there will be an increased risk of further spread of the infection from outbreaks of infection. Given the long incubation period (up to 50 days), the often asymptomatic course, and precisely when basic hygiene habits and prescribed anti-epidemic measures are not followed, the infection has very good conditions for spread," adds MUDr. Renata Ciupek from the KHS of the South Moravian Region.
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