Czech Republic Hepatitis A outbreak may last another one or two years: Health expert – Outbreak News Today

Report on the 2025 Hepatitis A Outbreak in the Czech Republic: Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

In 2025, the Czech Republic is experiencing its largest Hepatitis A outbreak in decades, with 2,141 cases and 26 deaths reported since the epidemic began in April of the previous year. This public health crisis starkly contrasts with the previous year’s data of 676 cases and two deaths. The outbreak highlights significant challenges in achieving several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). The national response is currently focused on vaccination strategy, exposing deep-seated issues of health equity and access for vulnerable populations.

Outbreak Statistics and Public Health Impact

The current epidemic represents a severe public health challenge, undermining progress toward SDG 3, which aims to end epidemics of communicable diseases by 2030.

• Total Cases: 2,141
• Total Deaths: 26 (including 10 in Prague)
• Historical Context: The outbreak surpasses the 1989 figures of 2,600 infected, indicating a significant regression in disease control.
• Vaccination Response: Over 112,000 people have been vaccinated this year, more than double the number from the previous year, yet this is insufficient to control the spread.

Challenges to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The outbreak has initiated a critical debate on achieving universal health coverage (Target 3.8), specifically regarding access to essential vaccines. A key obstacle to containing the epidemic is the lack of population-wide immunity. Experts are deliberating on a targeted vaccination strategy to protect the most vulnerable and curb transmission.

1. Proposal 1: Vaccinate Preschool Children. Supported by epidemiologists like Kateřina Fabiánová, this approach targets a key transmission group, as children constitute at least a quarter of the infected population and often spread the virus asymptomatically.
2. Proposal 2: Vaccinate High-Risk Adults. Deputy Chief Hygienist Matyáš Fošum advocates for prioritizing patients with chronic liver diseases, who face the highest mortality risk from Hepatitis A.
3. Implementation Hurdles: Expanding the vaccination program would require the Ministry of Health to issue a new decree and secure larger vaccine supplies from manufacturers, testing the resilience and responsiveness of the public health system.

Socioeconomic Disparities and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The outbreak disproportionately affects marginalized communities, revealing stark inequalities that are a direct impediment to achieving SDG 10. The virus spreads most rapidly among populations facing socioeconomic exclusion.

• Most Affected Groups: The highest infection rates are among socially disadvantaged people, including homeless individuals, alcoholics, and drug addicts.
• Geographic Concentration: The epidemic is concentrated in “excluded localities” with inadequate hygiene conditions, linking health outcomes directly to living standards and infrastructure.
• Economic Barriers to Health: The cost of vaccines is a significant deterrent for low-income families, seniors, and other vulnerable groups. Dr. Pavel Dlouhý highlights that while insurance companies offer some contributions, the price remains prohibitive for many, necessitating a state-funded vaccination program for selected groups to ensure equitable access.

Link to Foundational SDGs: Sanitation and Infrastructure (SDG 6)

The prevalence of Hepatitis A in areas with “inadequate hygiene conditions” underscores the critical link between public health and fundamental infrastructure. This situation demonstrates that failures in achieving SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) can directly undermine efforts to secure SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). The inability to provide basic sanitation for all citizens creates fertile ground for the spread of communicable diseases.

Conclusion and Forward Outlook

The ongoing Hepatitis A epidemic in the Czech Republic is more than a public health emergency; it is a critical test of the nation’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals. Experts warn that the epidemic could persist for another one to two years. An effective response requires not only an immediate upscaling of vaccination efforts but also a long-term strategy that addresses the root causes of health inequity. Achieving universal health coverage and ending this epidemic will necessitate a policy that provides free, accessible vaccinations for at-risk populations, thereby upholding the principles of SDG 3 and SDG 10 and ensuring that no one is left behind.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The primary Sustainable Development Goal addressed in the article is:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being.

  This goal aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. The article directly addresses this by focusing on a major public health crisis: a hepatitis A epidemic. It discusses the incidence of the disease, mortality rates, prevention strategies like vaccination, and the overall health of the population, particularly vulnerable groups.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s discussion of the hepatitis A outbreak and the public health response, the following specific targets under SDG 3 can be identified:

• Target 3.3: By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases.

  The article is centered on the “hepatitis A epidemic” in the Czech Republic, which has resulted in “2,141 cases and 26 deaths.” The entire discussion about the outbreak, its scale compared to previous years, and the efforts to control it directly relates to the goal of combating hepatitis and other communicable diseases.

• Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.

  This target is highlighted by the “debate among experts about who should be eligible for free vaccines.” The article points out financial barriers to healthcare, noting that socially disadvantaged groups like homeless people “have nothing to pay for the vaccine” and that “many seniors or families with multiple children are deterred by the price of vaccines.” The proposal for vaccination to be “covered by public health insurance” for at-risk groups is a direct effort towards achieving universal access to essential vaccines.

• Target 3.d: Strengthen the capacity of all countries, in particular developing countries, for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks.

  The public health response described in the article reflects this target. The vaccination of “Over 112,000 people” demonstrates a large-scale response to manage a national health risk. Furthermore, the proposal to “include the hepatitis A vaccine in the children’s vaccination calendar” is a strategic measure aimed at strengthening the country’s capacity for future risk reduction and prevention of similar outbreaks.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article provides several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• For Target 3.3 (Combat hepatitis):
  • Incidence of Hepatitis A: The article provides clear data on the number of cases, stating there are “2,141 cases” in the current outbreak, a significant increase from “676 people” in the previous year. This serves as a direct indicator of the epidemic’s scale.
  • Mortality Rate from Hepatitis A: The article specifies “26 deaths” from the current outbreak, compared to “two died” in the previous year. This is a critical indicator of the severity of the health crisis.
• For Target 3.8 (Universal health coverage):
  • Vaccination Coverage: The article states, “Over 112,000 people have been vaccinated this year, which is more than double the number last year.” This number is a direct indicator of the population’s access to and uptake of essential vaccines.
  • Financial Barriers to Healthcare: The article implies an indicator of financial hardship by mentioning that the “price of vaccines” deters seniors and families, and that socially disadvantaged groups cannot afford it. The extent to which these groups receive free or subsidized vaccines would measure progress towards financial risk protection.
• For Target 3.d (Health risk management):
  • Public Health Response Capacity: The vaccination of 112,000 people in response to the outbreak serves as an indicator of the health system’s capacity to manage a public health emergency.
  • Policy and Preparedness Measures: The proposal to “issue a new decree” and “include the hepatitis A vaccine in the children’s vaccination calendar” is an indicator of strengthening national health risk management and preparedness policies.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: outbreaknewstoday.substack.com