Hepatitis A in Slovakia

24 Jun 2025

On 18 June 2025, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported an increase of hepatitis A in Slovakia. Between January and May 2025, a total of 880 cases were reported, with no associated deaths.

An initial rise in cases was seen in 2022-2024 when children in the Roma communities in eastern Slovakia were most affected. This pattern has changed in 2025 and although the Roma population is still affected, cases have also been idenified in adults experiencing homelessness and substance abuse along with clusters of children in pre-school facilities. 

Advice for Travellers

To protect yourself from hepatitis A when travelling:

• pay strict attention to your hand hygiene, especially before meals and after using the toilet
• practice safe food and water precautions - foods that have been washed or grown in unclean water e.g. shellfish, berries and salad vegetables, have previously caused outbreaks
• take care with your personal hygiene, particularly during activities that involve close physical contact with a potentially infected person
• consider if you may need to be vaccinated against Hepatitis A before you go

Vaccination

Vaccination against hepatitis A is recommended, depending on risk assessment, for:

• people travelling to countries where there is a high risk of hepatitis A circulating in the local population
• people who are at higher risk of infection from their job or lifestyle, or have an increased chance of becoming severely ill with the infection, such as:
• men who have sex with other men
• people who inject illegal drugs
• people with existing medical conditions such as liver disease or haemophilia (clotting disorder)
• pregnant women
• close contacts of someone with hepatitis A
• people who may be exposed to hepatitis A through their job (e.g. healthcare, sewage, laboratory workers)

For further information see the fitfortravel hepatitis A page