Ongoing outbreak of hepatitis A associated with sexual transmission among men who have sex with men, Portugal, October 2023 to April 2024
Ebba Rosendal, Sebastian von Schreeb, Alexandre Gomes, Sara Lino, Berta Grau-Pujol, Sara Magalhães, Vasco Ricoca Peixoto, Carla Roque, Joana Moreno, Fernando Maltêz, Fernando Antônio de Almeida, Rita Sá Machado, Rui Tato Marinho, Paula Vasconcelos, Rita de Sousa, João Vieira Martins
Abstract
An outbreak of hepatitis A is ongoing in Portugal, with 71 confirmed cases from 7 October 2023 to 24 April 2024. Most cases are male, aged 18-44 years, with many identifying as men who have sex with men (MSM) and reported as suspected sexual transmission. Phylogenetic analysis identified the subgenotype IA, VRD 521-2016 strain, last observed in an MSM-associated multi-country outbreak in 2016 to 2018. We wish to alert colleagues in other countries to investigate potential similar spread.