Hepatitis A Cases Surge in Nantes, Prompting Health Agency Alert
Nantes, France – An unusual spike in hepatitis A cases is prompting health officials in the Pays de la Loire region to urge increased vigilance, especially regarding hygiene practices. The Regional Health Agency (ARS) reports a shift in infection patterns, with a growing proportion of new cases now appearing in individuals with no known risk factors.
Initially, cases identified earlier this summer pointed to transmission among summer travelers and vulnerable populations experiencing homelessness. Though, the ARS now indicates that over 80% of new cases as August have been detected in people without identifiable risk factors, signaling a broader community spread. This atypical situation has prompted a public health response focused on prevention and awareness.
The ARS emphasizes the importance of preventative measures, including thorough handwashing, proper food hygiene – especially avoiding raw or undercooked seafood – and vaccination, particularly before travel to areas where the virus is prevalent. “To protect yourself, it is important to wash your hands well, wash well food and avoid raw or poorly cooked seafood. There is also an effective means of prevention,especially before traveling in areas where the virus circulates,” the agency stated in a press release last Thursday.
hepatitis A typically presents with symptoms including fever, fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, and jaundice, following an average incubation period of 30 days. While most cases resolve spontaneously without long-term complications, health officials are stressing the need for heightened awareness and preventative action, particularly within school environments where the virus can easily spread.
