August 7, 2025, 3:09 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
To protect against certain diseases, vaccinations are recommended for some travel destinations. Often at the top of the list are vaccinations against hepatitis A or B. However, a TRAVELBOOK survey now shows that many people don’t even know if they are vaccinated against it.
Overview
If certain foods are contaminated with hepatitis A viruses, travelers without vaccination risk liver inflammation. There are specific foods to be cautious about while on vacation. However, you can protect yourself in advance with a vaccination. A recent TRAVELBOOK survey shows that nearly ten percent don’t know if they are vaccinated against hepatitis A or B.
More than 7,000 readers participated in the survey. Fifty-one percent of respondents said they were vaccinated against hepatitis A and B. Twenty-two percent stated they were not vaccinated against either, and nearly ten percent don’t know if they have a hepatitis A or B vaccination at all.
For many, trying local specialties and indulging in culinary delights is part of the vacation experience. But caution is advised: Some foods and dishes can be contaminated and become carriers of hepatitis A viruses. Find out which foods to avoid and when vaccination is recommended below.
These Foods Can Transmit Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a liver inflammation caused by viruses. The Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA) has compiled important information about the infectious disease on the website infektionsschutz.de. Infection can occur through close human contact or via food and water. “For example, salads and vegetables fertilized with feces or seafood like mussels or oysters can be contaminated with pathogens,” writes the BZgA. Additionally, pathogens can be transferred to food through unwashed hands. Contaminated drinking or bathing water can also be a source of infection.
In Which Countries Is Hepatitis A Found?
The hepatitis A virus is more common in countries with lower hygiene standards, especially in places with poor sanitary conditions and inadequate drinking water controls. According to the website Tropeninstitut.de, the virus is widespread in Southern and Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia, and Central and South America. “The infection risk in these countries is 1:500 per month of stay,” it states. If infection occurs abroad, it is referred to as travel hepatitis. Since there is an average of four weeks between infection and the onset of the disease, many infected individuals notice the first symptoms only after returning from a trip.
How Can I Protect Myself from Infection?
If you plan to travel to a region where hepatitis A is prevalent, you should get vaccinated against the disease beforehand. The German Society for Tropical Medicine, Travel Medicine, and Global Health (DTG) recommends vaccination for all “trips to countries with unreliable hygiene standards, regardless of travel style.” It is assumed that protection lasts for several years, just two weeks after the first dose. The second dose follows at least six months later. If administered in time after contact with the virus, a hepatitis A vaccination can also effectively prevent the disease.
Regardless of vaccination, when traveling to areas where hepatitis A is widespread, you should maintain careful hand and sanitary hygiene and good food hygiene. The BZgA and www.bereit-zu-reisen.de offer the following recommendations:
- Avoid raw salads and juices.
- Drink packaged or boiled water.
- Avoid ice cubes in drinks.
- Consume foods that have been sufficiently heated.
- Peel raw fruits or vegetables freshly.
- Avoid dairy products and ice cream.
Also interesting: “Without this vaccination, you should postpone flights to the USA”
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What Symptoms Should I Watch for After a Trip?
According to the BZgA, the first signs of illness include nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain, general malaise, and occasionally a fever. It can also lead to “jaundice with yellowing of the skin and conjunctiva, dark urine, discolored stool, and severe itching of the skin.” Until recovery, contact with others should be minimized. “The risk of infection is highest one to two weeks before and up to a week after the onset of symptoms,” writes the BZgA.
Imported Foods Can Also Transmit Hepatitis A
Even foods imported to Germany from areas where hepatitis A is widespread have increasingly been identified as triggers of hepatitis A infections in recent years. “Examples include frozen berries and smoothies, cakes or desserts made from them, as well as dried dates and tomatoes,” according to the BZgA.