According to Hungary’s Ministry of Health and the National Centre for Public Health and Pharmacy, approximately 1,648 cases of hepatitis A have been reported as of November 19, 2025. Since early September 2025, more than 65 cases per week have been reported since mid-October, representing at least a 16-fold increase over average incidence . The outbreak has yet to peak. Four adults with chronic underlying illnesses have died as a result of contracting the virus. Hungary is part of a multi-country hepatitis A outbreak affecting Austria, Czechia, Slovakia, and Germany.
Most affected areas include:
- Budapest (highest number of cases)
- Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County
- Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County
- Pest and Fejér Counties
Demographics:
- 56% male, 44% female
- Infections most frequently detected among children aged 3-14 years
- Cases also reported in adults, particularly those experiencing homelessness and people who inject drugs
Keep in Mind:
- Many who contract hepatitis A remain symptom-free but can still transmit the virus, meaning actual infections in Hungary likely exceed the 1,648 confirmed cases
- The average incubation period is one month (range: 15-50 days)
- Symptoms typically appear about one week after infection and include fatigue, weakness, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, dark urine, light or clay-colored stools, loss of appetite, fever, itchy skin, and jaundice (yellowing of skin/eyes)
- While usually mild with symptoms resolving within a few weeks, prolonged and more severe forms can occur
- Liver failure can rarely occur in the elderly, pregnant women, and people with chronic diseases, which may require hospitalization and, in severe cases, a liver transplant
- Unlike other types of hepatitis (B and C), hepatitis A does not lead to chronic liver disease
- Hepatitis A is highly contagious—in the absence of proper hygiene, an infected person can pass the virus to 8-10 other people
Multi-country outbreak:
Between January and May 2025, Austria, Czechia, Hungary, and Slovakia reported 2,097 hepatitis A cases. As of November 2025, the Czech Republic has reported approximately 2,600 cases with 29 deaths—the highest number since 1989. Slovakia reported 880 cases (January-May 2025), and Austria recorded 87 confirmed cases including 3 deaths. The outbreaks primarily affect vulnerable populations including adults experiencing homelessness, people who inject drugs, those living in poor sanitary conditions, and members of Roma communities in Czechia and Slovakia.
Transmission and Risk Factors
Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is transmitted primarily through the fecal-oral route:
- Consuming food or water contaminated with fecal matter containing the virus
- Close contact with an infected person
- Less commonly, through blood contact or sexual contact
- Risk of infection is greater in places with poor hygiene and unsafe drinking water
The virus thrives in conditions of inadequate sanitation and lack of access to safe water. European health officials attribute the outbreak surge to poor hygiene conditions, unsafe drinking water in some areas, and potential introduction by travelers from developing countries where hepatitis A is endemic.
Vaccination and Prevention
Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for travelers aged ≥ 1 year going to Hungary. Close contacts of hepatitis A cases can get vaccinated against the virus free of charge in Hungary.
Post-exposure prophylaxis: Because of the long incubation period of hepatitis A (up to 50 days), vaccination should be considered—ideally within 2 weeks of potential exposure—for any unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated traveler who had been in Hungary in the past 2 months. Active immunization is effective if administered within 2 weeks of exposure.
All travelers should observe strict prevention measures:
- Practice frequent, thorough handwashing (the most effective prevention method)
- Observe food and beverage precautions:
- Practice safer-sex measures
- Avoid sharing eating utensils, towels, or personal items
- Maintain good personal hygiene
If you develop symptoms:
Even if symptoms are mild, see a doctor if you suspect hepatitis A to rule out other similar conditions. There is no specific drug therapy; the body will fight off the virus itself. Most patients are advised to rest, drink plenty of fluids, and avoid alcohol and other substances that put strain on the liver.
Learn more about travel health risks on our website.
or read more about recommended vaccines for travel to Europe,
Do I Need any Vaccines to Travel to Europe in 2025?
References:
ECDC. Multi-country outbreak of hepatitis A in the EU/EEA. June 2025.
Portfolio.hu. Exceptionally severe hepatitis A epidemic in Hungary. November 20, 2025.
XpatLoop. Health Authority Warns of Rise in Hepatitis A Cases in Hungary. November 24, 2025.
The Lancet Microbe. Hepatitis A outbreak in Europe. September 3, 2025.
Travelvax. HUNGARY: Hepatitis A outbreak continues. November 26, 2025.
Medscape. Europe’s Hepatitis A Outbreak: What You Need to Know. June 26, 2025.
