November 1, 2024, 6:53 am | Read time: 4 minutes

If certain foods are contaminated with hepatitis A viruses, travelers are at risk of liver inflammation if they are not vaccinated. TRAVELBOOK provides an overview of which foods you should be careful with on vacation and how you can protect yourself from infection in advance.

Foods That Can Transmit Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is an inflammation of the liver caused by viruses. The German Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA) has summarized important information about the infectious disease on the website infektionsschutz.de. Infection can occur through close contact between people. However, transmission via food and water is also possible. “For example, salads and vegetables that have been fertilized with feces or seafood, such as mussels or oysters, can be contaminated with pathogens,” writes the BZgA. The pathogens can also get into food through unwashed hands. Contaminated drinking or bathing water can also be a source of infection.

In which countries does hepatitis A occur?

The hepatitis A virus is particularly common in countries with lower hygiene standards. This is particularly true in places with poor sanitary conditions and inadequate drinking water controls. According to the website Tropeninstitut.de, the virus is particularly widespread in southern and eastern European countries, Africa, Asia, and South and Central America. “The risk of infection in these countries is 1:500 per month of stay,” it says. If the infection occurs abroad, it is referred to as travel hepatitis. As there is an average of four weeks between infection and the outbreak of the disease, many infected people only notice the first symptoms after returning from a trip.

How can I protect myself from infection?

Anyone planning to travel to a region where hepatitis A is widespread should be vaccinated against the disease beforehand. The German Society for Tropical Medicine, Travel Medicine and Global Health (DTG) recommends the vaccination for all “trips to countries where the standard of hygiene is not reliably safe, regardless of the style of travel”. Two weeks after the first dose, protection is expected to last for several years. The second dose follows six months later, at the earliest. If administered in good time after contact with the virus, a hepatitis A vaccination can also effectively prevent illness.

Regardless of the vaccination, careful hand and sanitary hygiene, as well as good hygiene when handling food should be practiced when traveling to areas where hepatitis A is widespread. The BZgA and www.bereit-zu-reisen.de offer the following recommendations:

• Avoid raw salads and raw juices.
• Drink packaged or boiled water.
• Avoid ice cubes in drinks.
• If possible, eat food that has been sufficiently heated.
• Fruit and vegetables that are to be eaten raw should be freshly peeled.
• Avoid dairy products and ice cream.

What symptoms should I look out for after a trip?

The BZgA identifies the initial symptoms of the illness as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, a general malaise, and sometimes a fever. The condition may also result in jaundice, characterized by yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools, and intense skin itching. It’s advisable to minimize contact with others until full recovery is achieved. “The risk of infection is highest one to two weeks before and up to one week after the onset of symptoms,” writes the BZgA.

More on the topic

Overview More and more Mpox cases – how travelers can protect themselves

Hygiene check Can you guess the location of the most germs on an airplane?

10 valuable tips How to stay healthy on a plane

Imported foods that can transmit hepatitis A

In recent years, foods imported into Germany from regions with high hepatitis A prevalence have been increasingly recognized as sources of infection. “Examples include frozen berries and smoothies, cakes or desserts made from them, as well as dried dates and tomatoes,” says the BZgA.