Public health officials in Ostrava, Czech Republic are addressing the epidemiological situation regarding an outbreak of acute hepatitis A there. From 22 April to 1 July 2024 a total of 44 infections were recorded. Of those cases, 43 are in children between the ages of 1 and 17. The Regional Public Health Authority was instructed to undertake targeted anti-epidemic measures with up to 400 people who have been in what is called epidemiologically significant contact with infected persons.
“The unfavorable epidemiological situation was also discussed in the Regional Epidemiological Commission. In that context, for example, information was circulated requesting collaboration with arranging for anti-epidemic measures in the residential hotels on City of Ostrava territory through leaflets or recommendations to increase the frequency with which common areas and sanitary facilities are being disinfected,” said Zuzana Babišová, director of the Moravian-Silesian Regional Public Health Authority, in a press release.
Persons who have come into contact with the infected and who are themselves susceptible to infection are now being vaccinated against hepatitis A. The vaccinations are provided either by the doctors registering their cases, by certain general practitioners (GP), or for those without a GP, by the Clinic for Infectious Medicine at the Ostrava Teaching Hospital.
The Czech Health Ministry has provided a total of 168 doses of vaccinations against hepatitis A. They are paid for by public health insurance.
“Certainly there is no reason to panic, although a certain amount of caution and emphasis on prevention are appropriate. A person comes into contact with the hepatitis A virus by bringing contaminated hands toward the mouth, whether directly or indirectly through food. If that person is not vaccinated against hepatitis A, it is appropriate to emphasize hand hygiene after coming into contact with objects and surfaces which are frequently touched by other people’s hands, typically, for example, the handrails in public transportation, door handles in public spaces, shopping carts, money, the buttons of payment terminals or even gas station pumps. However, this applies year-round, everywhere, not just here and now,“ said Rastislav Maďar, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Ostrava University and the head of their Institute of Epidemiology and Public Health Protection.
