Spain panic as deadly virus surges sixfold in children | World | News
A surge in hepatitis A infections has sparked panic in Spain, leading to calls for children to be vaccinated. Instances of the highly contagious liver disease have been reported across many regions of the country.
New data showed that over the past five years, infections increased sixfold in Malaga province, with 19 confirmed cases reported in 2025. Andalucia also saw a 700% increase since 2020, with 64 infections reported in 2025, compared to just 8 five years ago. The spike in infections is causing concern among medical professionals, who are calling for urgent Government action.
Experts from the Vaccines and Immunisations Advisory Committee of the Spanish Paediatricians Association (CAV-AEP) have called for babies between 12 and 15 months to be vaccinated.
They also advised vaccinations for any children who have never been inoculated against the disease.
Routine vaccinations against hepatitis A are currently only offered in Catalunya, plus the two enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, the Olive Press reports.
Dr Francisco Alvarez – a CAV-AEP coordinator – said: “Until now, Spain was a country with low endemicity of hepatitis A, so vaccination was recommended only for risk groups, with these three exceptions.
“However, the increase in cases in the last two years in most regions is forcing us to strengthen epidemiological surveillance and enhance prevention through vaccination.”
The surge in cases is being driven by low vaccination rates among children, according to some experts. It is believed that the disease is spreading more quickly among young people due to their poor hygiene habits.
Spain’s Ministry of Health acknowledged that vaccinations for Hepatitis A are not usually included in state immunisation programmes.
However, they added: “When an outbreak is declared, the protocol is followed, which, among other measures, includes vaccinating close contacts.”
Hepatitis A is transmitted through ingestion of contaminated food and water or through direct contact with an infectious person.
Symptoms include yellow skin or eyes, no appetite, vomiting, stomach pain, fever, dark urine and diarrhoea. Almost everyone who contracts hepatitis A recovers fully with lifelong immunity.
