Hep A in Australia
According to a health.vic news release, up to 39 people in Victoria, Australia, have confirmed or suspected hepatitis A infections. The release states that widespread local transmission is occurring, and the outbreak is affecting gay, bisexual and other MSM, and people who inject drugs.
The strains detected in this outbreak are reportedly similar to those circulating in Europe and the government is providing vaccines for at-risk individuals.
Advice for travellers is that hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable viral disease passed on to humans primarily through oral contact with faeces of an infected person, which can happen through contaminated food and water, by handling everyday items and sexual contact.
The diseases poses a risk to travellers in developing countries where sanitation and hygiene are lacking. To protect themselves, there is the option of a course of hepatitis A vaccine, which offers immunity that is more than 99 per cent effective and protects for 20-30 years.