Dangerous virusMajor hepatitis A outbreak in Italy! What travelers should know shortly before Easter

Hepatitis outbreak shakes holiday region in Italy

The Easter holidays have started in many places. But anyone traveling to southern Italy this year will have to be prepared for restrictions. Hepatitis A continues to spread there. Since the beginning of the year, the health authority has reported an above-average number of illnesses in the Campania region. According to official information from the city of Naples, a total of 65 hepatitis A cases were recorded between January and March 2026. In March alone, 43 new infections were added. And there are now 50 cases of hepatitis in Rome tooreports the news site Rai News.

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Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infectionwhich is caused by the hepatitis A virus. The viruses are usually transmitted via contaminated food or water. Insufficiently heated foods are particularly risky – including raw mussels or other seafood. But dates, dried tomatoes and lettuce are also relevant sources of infection, as the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) lists in the “Epidemiological Bulletin” (14/2025).

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Two to four weeks after infection, those affected notice flu-like symptomsincluding symptoms such as fever, nausea, vomiting, headache, muscle and joint pain. As the disease progresses, the urine often becomes dark in color, while the feces become light in color. The skin and eyes also turn yellowish. The inflammation usually heals without complications, but liver damage can remain.

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Protective measures against hepatitis A infection

In Naples, the authorities have already taken drastic measures and banned one of the most popular local specialties. Restaurants are prohibited from serving raw seafood. In addition, the authorities strongly recommend that the population and tourists avoid consumption, even privately.

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However, it has not yet been conclusively clarified whether only seafood is actually responsible for the hepatitis outbreak. For holidaymakers this means: In addition to possible restrictions in catering, basic hygiene rules should be observed, according to the Foreign Office's recommendations. Above all, this includes avoiding eating raw or undercooked food. There is an important motto: “Cook it, peel it or forget it.” (Cook it, peel it or leave it.). A hepatitis A vaccination could also be considered.

Who should get vaccinated against hepatitis A

According to the RKI, vaccination is recommended when traveling to Central and South America, Africa and Asia. A hepatitis A vaccination is also useful when traveling to Eastern European countries. It is best to get the vaccination six to eight weeks before the start of your trip. A basic immunization consists of two vaccinations. The second spade comes six to twelve months after the first.

The Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) does not generally recommend vaccination against hepatitis A, but only for certain people. These include:

• Travelers to regions with high hepatitis A prevalence

• People with liver disease

• People with sexual behavior with a high risk of infection

• People with frequent transmission of blood components (for example in hemophilia)

• Residents of psychiatric facilities or comparable care facilities

Good news for everyone who only tackles the topic of hepatitis protection shortly before their trip: Most vaccinated people have already developed sufficient protection two weeks after the first vaccinationsays the German Liver Foundation.

Sources used: dpa, Rai News, Foreign Office, RKI, STIKO, German Liver Foundation