Hepatitis A Outbreak in the Czech Republic Stretches Into a Prolonged Phase
The hepatitis A outbreak that began in April 2025 in isolated pockets of Ostrava has spiraled into a national health concern, with 2,141 reported cases and 26 deaths, including ten in Prague. This figure stands in stark contrast to the 676 illnesses and two fatalities recorded last year, signaling a surge that health officials describe as the largest in decades.
Public health authorities are grappling with questions about who should receive free vaccinations and how to manage vaccines amid growing demand. The State Institute of Health has proposed extending vaccination to preschool children, while experts like Matyáš Fošum, deputy chief hygienist and director of the Public Health Protection Department of the Ministry of Health, emphasize protecting the most at-risk groups—patients with chronic liver diseases—who face the highest mortality risk from hepatitis A.
“The most at-risk group are patients with chronic liver diseases. They are the ones who die from hepatitis A most often, so they should be entitled to vaccination covered by public health insurance,” Fošum said, noting that discussions could eventually include both younger children and adults with liver problems. “There are more proposals; we will see what the expert groups agree on.”
Any decision to add the hepatitis A vaccine to the children’s vaccination calendar would require a new decree from the ministry and coordination with vaccine manufacturers to secure higher supplies. Fošum noted that more than 112,000 people have been vaccinated this year, more than double the number from the previous year, underscoring the scale of the current outbreak and the public demand for protection.
Experts point to several reasons the Czech Republic faces a persistent hepatitis A challenge. A large portion of the population lacks antibodies against the virus, and there had been no major outbreaks for decades since the 1979 contaminated strawberry incident in Poland. That incident affected about 30,000 people, with 2,600 infected in 1989. Today, the epidemiological landscape has shifted, and authorities fear the outbreak could extend into the near future.
“At least a quarter of this year’s infected people are children. Although they usually experience a milder or asymptomatic course, they can still transmit the virus,” commented epidemiologist Kateřina Fabiánová. She argued for broader vaccination campaigns, particularly among children, to curb spread and reduce future hospitalizations.
The most affected demographics are socially disadvantaged individuals living in deprived areas with limited access to hygiene and healthcare. Homeless people, alcoholics, and drug users often face barriers to vaccination, which is financially burdensome for some families and seniors without adequate coverage. While insurance schemes currently contribute to prevention vaccinations, Fabiánová and other experts acknowledge that affordability remains a barrier for many groups. Advocates such as Pavel Dlouhý, head of the infectious diseases department in Ústí nad Labem and chair of the Czech Society of Infectious Medicine, support paid vaccination for selected high-risk groups to improve protection where it’s most needed.
As public health officials map out next steps, the central concern remains the outbreak’s trajectory. Kateřina Fabiánová warns that the epidemic is not over. “Past experience shows that it can last at least another year or two,” she said, underscoring the need for sustained vaccination efforts, enhanced surveillance, and targeted outreach in vulnerable communities.
What This Means for Policy and Public Health
The Czech response will likely hinge on balancing cost, vaccine supply, and equitable access. If vaccination becomes more broadly available to children, the government must secure manufacturing commitments and ensure timely distribution to clinics and schools. For now, health authorities emphasize vaccination as a critical tool to prevent transmission, especially among youths who can act as vectors within communities.
Public health experts agree that whether the outbreak lasts longer than expected will depend on how quickly vaccines reach those most at risk, how effectively outreach programs engage marginalized populations, and the continued vigilance of health systems in tracking and containing new cases.
