Since April 2025, more than 150 cases of hepatitis A have been identified in Loire-Atlantique. A figure ten times higher than the 8 to 12 usual cases. The Regional Health Agency (ARS) Loire-Atlantique is also concerned about the “atypical character” of this outbreak, largely concentrated in the Nantes region. For the time being, the peak has not yet been reached and the health authorities are calling for reinforced vigilance. Indeed, “New cases are expected in the coming weeks “.
Hepatitis A, a liver infection with risk factors not always known
Hepatitis A is a viral disease of the liver transmitted by oro-faster route, often via contaminated food or water. In Loire-Atlantique, for two thirds of the cases identified between May and June 2025, a risk factor had been identified. But since the summer, 80 % of new cases have concerned people without known exposure.
People at risk are:
- People in precarious situations with limited access to water;
- Men having sex with men;
- People with oro-anal practices;
- Injectable drug users;
- And travelers in endemic areas.
What are the symptoms of the disease?
Symptoms of the disease can also go unnoticed, especially in children. Otherwise, they translate into fever, abdominal pain, great fatigue, loss of appetite and sometimes a jaundice.
As a reminder, in the majority of cases, hepatitis spontaneously healed without sequelae. However, serious forms can develop. Rarer, they mainly concern older adults or chronic liver diseases.
As explained by the Professor of Lédinghen, hepato-gastroenterologist, in a previous article for True Medical: “As these hepatitis is asymptomatic, the risk is that many patients develop these diseases in a silent manner, until the appearance of cirrhosis or cancer. Screening is therefore necessary, in people at risk such as diabetics, alcoholic, obese or addictive people. “
Prevention and vaccination, weapons against the virus
Faced with the spread of the number of cases, ARS and national education sent a letter to schools on September 23, 2025 to recall barriers. Among them: “se wash your hands regularly with soap and soap, especially before meals and after passing through toilet“, but also “Ensure food cleanliness“.
People living under the same roof as a patient, travelers in endemic areas, as well as certain risky audiences are invited to be vaccinated.
In the first case, vaccination should be ideally carried out within 14 days of the first symptoms. It remains, in any case, the surest way to prevent hepatitis A, which is a compulsory declaration disease.