More than 130 people in Italy have been infected with the hepatitis A virus, which authorities say has been linked to contaminated shellfish.
Officials in the Campania region said 133 cases had been reported since the beginning of the year.
Responses to curb the increase include more testing, epidemiological surveillance, controlling the food supply chain and providing free vaccinations to those most at risk and contacts of infected individuals. Vulnerable groups include health and social care staff, food supply chain workers and at-risk patients.
Actions are based on evidence obtained from epidemiological and laboratory investigations, bivalve sampling, environmental monitoring and other studies.
Bivalve molluscs such as mussels, clams, and oysters can be affected when filtered through contaminated water. Therefore, eating them raw or undercooked should be avoided.
Health officials said it is important to buy molluscs only from certified retailers, check labeling, provenance and proper storage methods, and not buy products sold outside official channels.
In February, regional authorities in Campania ordered increased controls over the entire bivalve mollusk supply chain, based on evidence from epidemiological surveys and analysis of eating habits.
The monitoring plan includes inspection and sampling of bivalve molluscs in primary production areas, wholesale distribution channels, and retail stores.
Cease sales of seafood
An emergency network was also established involving experts from the Centro di Riferimento Regionale per la Sicurezza Sanitaria del Pescato (CRiSSaP), the Regional Health Authorities (ASL), the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno (IZSM) and the University of Naples Federico II.
Naples has taken a series of measures to address the rise in hepatitis A cases. As a result of the epidemiological investigation, there were 3 people in January, 19 people in February, and 43 people on March 19th.
Serving and eating raw fish is prohibited in all public facilities. The sale of these products is still permitted, but officials advised people not to consume them raw at home. The measures will remain in effect until health authorities reassess the situation.
Violations result in fines ranging from €2,000 ($2,300) to €20,000 ($23,000). Repeat violations will result in suspension of activities for 1 to 30 days and subsequent cancellation of operating permits.
According to the Integrated Epidemiological Surveillance System for Acute Viral Hepatitis (SEIEVA) hosted by the Italian National Institutes of Health (ISS) from January to June 2025, there were 247 cases of hepatitis A. The most frequently reported risk factor by patients was seafood consumption. A total of 52 cases were linked to berry consumption.
Hepatitis A attacks the liver and can be spread by close contact with an infected person or by ingesting the virus through contaminated food or drink. Symptoms last for several days to several months and begin 15 to 50 days after infection. Symptoms range from mild to severe and include sudden onset of fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal pain, dark-colored urine, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes).
