2 September 2004 : Travel associated hepatitis A

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection has so far been confirmed in 157 German tourists and 38 tourists from other countries who stayed in hotel accommodation in the Red Sea region of Egypt during August 2004 (Christina Frank, Robert Koch Institute, personal communication; http://www.hpa.org.uk/cdr/index.html; http://www.eurosurveillance.org/ew/2004/040826.asp - 1 ).

HAV is transmitted by the faecal-oral route. Infection occurs following ingestion of contaminated food or water. Food may become contaminated during preparation if infected food handlers fail to observe adequate personal hygiene.

Although the risk of contracting Hepatitis A is highest in rural areas of Egypt and other resource-poor countries where sanitation may be poor, this outbreak illustrates the potential for hepatitis A transmission in hotel accommodation in tourist areas.

The risk of acquiring hepatitis A can be reduced by following simple guidelines on food and water hygiene and by ensuring good personal hygiene.

Non-immune travellers to endemic areas should be offered HAV vaccination.

Further information on HAV is available here