Hepatitis A is a viral infection that affects your liver. You can get it by consuming contaminated food, water and ice. The virus is spread through a hand-fecal route. It occurs when poor hand washing and food handeling occur at the same time. The virus is most easily spread where there are poor sanitary conditions or where good personal hygiene is not observed. Hepatitis A occurs throughout the world. It is especially common in countries in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, the Caribbean, and the Western Pacific. This means that people can become infected with the virus in many travel destinations, even when using luxury tourist accommodations.
Hepatitis A vaccine is a two shot series, given 6 months apart. You don’t need to complete the series before you travel, you can get the second dose after you return. The CDC recommends all travelers leaving the country get this vaccine.
Hepatitis A Vaccine Information Statement
Maps are for illustrative purposes only. For current information, please consult your travel medical specialist 6-8 weeks before your planned departure.