ena-STUDY-UNIVERSITY OF REGENSBURG-18-06-2018-11:47:17:284-4348
Two concurrent outbreaks of hepatitis A in the first half of 2018 highlight the risk of infection when traveling to Morocco
We report on two recent, concurrent hepatitis A outbreaks, affecting both travellers returning from Morocco and autochthonous cases without travel history. Molecular analysis has revealed two clusters of distinct hepatitis A virus (HAV) strains affecting 142 patients in 8 reporting European countries since January 2018. Most travel-related cases were unaware of the hepatitis A-risk in Morocco. Vaccination recommendations should be repeatedly emphasised to increase awareness among travellers to Morocco and other HAV endemic countries.
We report on two recent, concurrent hepatitis A outbreaks, affecting both travellers returning from Morocco and autochthonous cases without travel history. Molecular analysis has revealed two clusters of distinct hepatitis A virus (HAV) strains affecting 142 patients in 8 reporting European countries since January 2018. Most travel-related cases were unaware of the hepatitis A-risk in Morocco. Vaccination recommendations should be repeatedly emphasised to increase awareness among travellers to Morocco and other HAV endemic countries.