Hepatitis A Outbreak Prompts Hygiene Alert at Berlin Ski Resort
Berlin, Germany - A confirmed case of Hepatitis A has triggered a public health warning at a ski resort in Berlin, prompting officials to urge tourists to practice heightened hygiene. Teh Robert Koch Institute (RKI) reports the highly contagious liver infection, characterized by an incubation period of 15 to 50 days, is typically spread through “fecal-oral transmission via contact or smear infection.”
The outbreak comes as the winter sports season draws visitors to the region, raising concerns about potential further transmission. While moast individuals fully recover within two to three months, the RKI notes that severe complications, though rare, can occur, especially in those with pre-existing liver conditions. The case underscores the importance of preventative measures, especially in communal settings like ski resorts were close contact is common.
Hepatitis A initially presents with symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, and abdominal discomfort. These are often followed by jaundice,indicated by pale stools,dark urine,and yellowing of the skin and eyes. The RKI provides further details on the virus in a recent report https://edoc.rki.de/bitstream/handle/176904/10733/EB-6-2023-RG.pdf?sequence=1.
The Hepatitis A virus measures between 20 and 30 nanometers in diameter, as visualized under a transmission electron microscope (pictured). [Image: picture alliance / BSIP].
