In Portugal, cases of fatal diseases increased by 265%.

There has been a remarkable health situation in Portugal lately, and frankly, the numbers cannot be overlooked. I looked at the latest National Viral Hepatitis Program report published by the General Directorate of Health (DGS) today, on the occasion of July 28, World Hepatitis Day. The research prepared by Eduardo Oliveira on this subject was a truly wonderful job; It reveals the data and the situation on the field very clearly. If we look at the figures highlighted by Eduardo in his study: Hepatitis A cases, recorded as 319 in Portugal in 2024, have increased to 1,164 with a serious jump of 265% in 2025. So, what is behind this sharp increase? According to the authorities and the findings in the report, this situation is directly related to two different epidemic waves that will break out in 2024: First wave: It spread from person to person in environments with inadequate hygiene and infrastructure conditions. It particularly affected children on the Algarve, Alentejo, Lisbon and Tagus Valley sides. Second wave: Shaped by infections caused by sexual contact. The majority of the cases here consist of men aged 18-44, living in Lisbon, the Tagus Valley and the Northern region. 28 different foci were identified, leading to a total of 150 confirmed cases. Most infections occur through direct contact between people. In fact, this situation is not unique to Portugal; Data from the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) shows that a similar trend is happening in other European countries. Should We Panic? The good news is that despite this increase, Portugal is still considered among the "low risk/endemic" countries for Hepatitis A. In normal periods, there is less than one case per 100 thousand people in the country. DGS also underlines that epidemics have begun to be controlled with the public health measures taken. What is Hepatitis A, How is it Transmitted? Hepatitis A is a virus that targets the liver. It does not become chronic like other types of hepatitis, that is, it does not turn into a permanent disease. Generally, the body recovers within a few weeks or months. However, the situation may worsen in the elderly or those with chronic diseases. The virus spreads mainly through the fecal-oral route. In other words, consumption of contaminated water/food, lack of hygiene, close contact with an infected person or sexual intercourse involving oral-anal contact are the main causes of transmission. Symptoms appear 2 to 7 weeks after contracting the virus. The most typical symptoms: Fever, malaise and loss of appetite Nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain Dark urine, light colored stools Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) In children, it can sometimes occur without any symptoms. Although very rare, situations that can lead to acute liver failure may occur, so it is better not to say "it will pass anyway" but to pay more attention than usual to hygiene, water and food cleanliness. Eduardo Oliveira's research has been a truly successful resource for understanding the reality on the ground. We will continue to follow the process.