Hepatitis A is quickly spreading throughout southern Italy. More than 150 instances have been documented in Campania since the beginning of the year, with 84 of them occurring in Naples alone. In reaction, Italian authorities imposed a strict prohibition on the consumption of a local fish specialty. However, the source of infection has not yet been definitively determined.
Easter is quickly approaching. However, travelers planning a trip to southern Italy this year should be prepared for restrictions. There is now a big hepatitis A outbreak in the Campania area near Naples. Authorities take harsh steps, including banning one of the most famous local delicacies.
Hepatitis A is mainly transmitted by contaminated food or water. The infection can cause liver inflammation and is frequently associated with symptoms such as fever, nausea, and jaundice. Insufficiently cooked meals, such as raw mussels or other shellfish, are especially dangerous.
Between January and March 2026, the city of Naples recorded 65 cases of hepatitis A. In March alone, 43 new illnesses were reported. Tropeninstitut.de, a travel portal, also reported these statistics in a recent release, citing a probable link to tainted fish.
However, the problem may be worse than previously thought. According to the Italian news website RaiNews, some 70 infected persons are currently being treated as inpatients at the Colli Hospital in Naples, with an additional eight cases being treated in the emergency room.
Just a few days ago, officials reported far fewer affected persons. In the meantime, the first cases have been reported beyond Campania. According to RaiNews, 24 persons have tested positive for the virus in the province of Latina, southeast of Rome. The location is also a famous tourist attraction.
In response, the Naples authorities have implemented rigorous precautions. According to a statement from the municipality, catering companies are barred from serving raw fish until further notice. The restriction also extends to snack stalls. Violations may result in penalties of up to 20,000 euros. Furthermore, people are recommended not to consume raw fish in private.
For tourists, this implies that, in addition to any limits in the catering business, fundamental hygienic requirements must be followed. This involves, above all, abstaining from consuming raw or undercooked foods. Meanwhile, officials are working to establish the source of the diseases. It has not yet been determined if seafood is solely responsible for the epidemic.
Devastating outbreak in the Czech Republic
The Czech Republic likewise recently had an extraordinarily severe hepatitis A outbreak. Around Christmas, health officials reported the most severe pandemic in 46 years. The number of instances was twenty times higher than the previous year. Moreover, over 3000 hepatitis A cases were reported in 2025, with 36 deaths. The capital Prague, as well as the districts of Central Bohemia and Karlovy Vary, which are major holiday destinations for German visitors, were notably hit. Christmas markets, in particular, were seen as high-risk environments.
According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), hepatitis A is relatively rare in Germany, with the majority of cases imported from risk regions. On average, 600 to 700 illnesses are recorded yearly (as of 2022), with around 40% acquired overseas.
The Standing Committee on immunization (STIKO) advises immunization for those at high risk, such as childcare center and hospital workers, men who have sex with males, and tourists with a weakened immune system. Otherwise, according to the German Liver Aid, the greatest form of prevention is to follow food hygiene guidelines. There is a memorable phrase: “Cook it, peel it, or forget it.”
