Vigilance is to put in the Lyon and Nantes agglomerations. Since June, health authorities have observed a significant increase in cases of hepatitis A, an infectious disease usually rare in France. The figures challenge, and the situation far exceeds national borders.
A local health alert against the backdrop of European resurgence
In Lyon, around fifty cases of hepatitis A have been identified since June. These figures come from the Regional Health Agency (ARS) Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Nantes has at least sixteen over the same period.
This increase in contrast to the usual incidence rates in France. Figures, between 1.5 and 3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, according to the Ministry of Health.
The trend is also observed elsewhere in Europe. Between January and May 2025, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reports 600 confirmed cases in Czech Republic, 530 in Hungary and 87 in Austria.
Faced with this resurgence, reinforced monitoring and a recall of the prevention measures were established.
Understanding transmission and means of prevention
Hepatitis A is a viral liver infection which generally heals in a few weeks, but can be serious in rare cases. The virus is mainly transmitted by factories-oral route, often via water or contaminated foods.
The World Health Organization specifies that contagion can also occur “For example, during oro-year-old sex, but he does not spread on the occasion of ordinary contacts between people “.
To limit the risks, the ARS recommend wash your hands regularly, ensure food cleanliness, avoid raw or little seafood, and be vaccinated before traveling in areas where the virus circulates endemically.
These areas include Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, Central Asia and Oceania.
Symptoms, evolution and detection of the disease
After an incubation of 15 to 50 days, hepatitis A can manifest itself by various symptoms:
In 90 % of cases, it remains asymptomatic. When it declares itself, no specific treatment exists: rest, balanced diet and stop of alcohol are recommended.
Vaccination allows effective protection for about ten years. It should be administered at least 15 days before a trip to the risk area. It is also recommended for people with liver disease, cystic fibrosis or men with sex with other men.
Finally, as Professor Victor de Ledinghen, gastroenterologist, reminded us, in a previous article, screening for this disease must be systematic, in certain categories of people.
“As these hepatitis is asymptomatic, the risk is that many patients develop these diseases silently, until the appearance of cirrhosis or cancer. Detecting is thus necessary, in people at risk such as diabetics, alcoholic, obese or addictive people.”