Hepatitis A Outbreak Traced to Restaurant in Palma, Spain

The source of an outbreak of hepatitis A involving 33 infected people has been traced to a restaurant in the centre of Palma, Spain. The restaurant was closed for almost 10 days for disinfection of the establishment.

Advice

Since hepatitis A virus may be found almost anywhere in the world, it is difficult to predict when a traveller may be exposed to the virus. However, hepatitis A is preventable through vaccination. Travellers can basically eliminate this risk by obtaining the vaccine prior to travelling and by exercising caution and avoiding consuming contaminated food and water and close personal contact (including sexual activities) with infected persons.