Hepatitis A in Portugal
23 Jun 2025
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported on 19 June 2025 of an ongoing outbreak of hepatitis A virus (HAV) in Portugal. The outbreak is mainly affecting the north and the Lisbon and Tagus Valley (LVT) regions.
Between 1 January and 31 May 2025, there were 122 cases reported associated with sexual contact among men who have sex with men (MSM). The majority of new cases have been reported among unvaccinated people.
EuroPride 2025 Lisbon is being held in Lisbon, Portugal (14 to 22 June 2025). This event attracts a high number of international visitors that may engage in sexual activity, sometimes with multiple partners, which can increase spread of HAV and other sexually-transmitted infections.
Advice to 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
Travellers attending Europride should know how to prevent hepatitis A infection in men who have sex with men (MSM).
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