Hepatitis A Outbreak: Naples Bans Raw Seafood, Campania on Alert
Naples and the wider Campania region are facing a growing outbreak of Hepatitis A, prompting a ban on the sale of raw seafood in the city. As of today, March 20, 2026, at least 133 cases have been confirmed this year, with approximately 50 patients currently hospitalized in Naples, according to regional health authorities.
Naples Mayor Gaetano Manfredi signed an emergency ordinance today prohibiting the serving and consumption of raw shellfish in all public establishments, including restaurants and food vendors. The measure comes after the Naples 1 ASL Prevention Department reported a surge in cases – more than ten times the average of the last decade and forty-one times higher than the previous three years. Cases rose from three in January to 19 in February and 43 in the first nineteen days of March.
The ordinance mandates strict adherence to food safety guidelines and authorizes increased inspections by relevant authorities. Violations will be subject to fines ranging from €2,000 to €20,000, with potential suspension or revocation of operating licenses for repeat offenses. The restrictions will remain in effect until the epidemiological situation improves, as assessed by the Naples 1 ASL.
The Campania Region has similarly announced a strengthening of controls throughout the entire supply chain of bivalve mollusks and preventative measures. This includes collaboration between local health departments, the Southern Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute, and the regional health protection network.
Despite the rising case numbers, the Naples hospital company (Azienda Ospedaliera dei Colli) stated that there is “no emergency” situation, and that the situation at the Cotugno Hospital’s emergency room remains “overall stable.” Approximately 14 new cases were reported yesterday, but the hospital continues to accept patients arriving at the emergency room, though it has temporarily suspended accepting transfers from other facilities.
Health officials emphasize that the most effective way to protect against Hepatitis A is to avoid consuming raw or undercooked shellfish. Thorough cooking is essential, ensuring mollusks are cooked uniformly. Consumers are also advised to purchase seafood only from authorized retailers, verifying proper labeling, origin, and storage conditions. For fresh berries, thorough washing under potable water is recommended before consumption, while frozen berries should be boiled for at least two minutes before utilize.
Hepatitis A is an acute liver infection caused by the HAV virus, transmitted through the fecal-oral route – by ingesting contaminated water or food, or through close contact with an infected person. Symptoms include fever, malaise, nausea, abdominal pain, dark urine, and jaundice. The virus can be present in feces even before symptoms appear, with an incubation period typically ranging from 15 to 50 days.