As of April 28, 424 individuals have been diagnosed with the virus, marking a tenfold rise compared to the same period last year. Tragically, six people have already lost their lives to the infection.
“They had severely damaged livers. Mostly, these are heavy alcoholics with cirrhosis, and although the virus usually runs its course mildly, it can cause problems in these individuals,” said Hana Rogachová, head of the department at the Bulovka University Hospital in Prague, where two of the fatalities occurred.
The deaths have been spread across various regions, with three registered in Prague, and one each in Karlovy Vary, Central Bohemian, and Ostrava. By comparison, 636 cases were reported in the country in 2023, and 424 cases have already been documented this year.
“The trend is still growing. However, the increase is slow for now, and we are managing to contain the epidemic. The situation is under control, and we are trying to educate at-risk groups,” said Matyáš Fošum, Director of the Department of Population Health Protection at the Ministry of Health, in an interview with Novinky.
In northern Moravia, health authorities have been working to curb the spread of the virus since last fall. Efforts, including mass vaccinations in affected communities, have helped slow the transmission in the Moravian-Silesian region. While the numbers are improving, with 74 cases reported this year compared to 216 for all of 2023, further resources are still needed to fully control the outbreak.
