Hygiena, 2026 (vol. 71), issue 1

Artificial intelligence in public health: opportunities, risks, and professional accountability

Jana Loosová, František Kožíšek

Hygiena 2026, 71(1):3-4 | DOI: 10.21101/hygiena.a1908  

First case of naegleriasis in Slovakia and its investigation

Lucia Chomová, Hana Némová, Viktória Vímiová, Nikola Dräxlerová, Lucia Maďarová, Katarína Trnková, Michal Adamišin

Hygiena 2026, 71(1):5-8 | DOI: 10.21101/hygiena.a1910

Objectives: Following the identification of the first case of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) in Slovakia caused by the amoeba Naegleria fowleri in June 2025, an epidemiological investigation was conducted by the Public Health Authority of the Slovak Republic. The objective was to identify the source of infection and propose measures to prevent further potential cases of infection. Methods: The epidemiological investigation involved sampling various types of environmental specimens from the recreational resort where the patient had bathed, alongside measurements of relevant physico-chemical parameters. Microscopic, culture, and molecular...

Sedentary behavior levels of regional public health authority employees with different job responsibilities: a pilot study

Jana Loosová, Lukáš Rubín, Nela Jágrová, Kateřina Forysová, Štěpánka Slaninová, Jan Dygrýn

Hygiena 2026, 71(1):9-13 | DOI: 10.21101/hygiena.a1911

Objective: This pilot study aimed to assess sedentary behavior among employees of a regional public health authority with different types of work. Methods: Research sample included 12 employees divided into three groups according to job type (A - office-based sedentary work, B - field workers, and C - technical staff). Participants underwent device-based monitoring using accelerometers. The pilot study included a questionnaire that assessed both sedentary behaviour as subjectively reported by the employee and their health status. Results: The highest amount of sedentary time during working hours was observed in group A (506.8 ± 88.7 min), and...

Nutritional correlates of dieting behavior and excessive exercise and their implementation in health education

Jiří Svoboda, Michaela Hřivnová

Hygiena 2026, 71(1):14-19 | DOI: 10.21101/hygiena.a1912

Education represents a key instrument for the prevention of mental health difficulties and the promotion of physical health, as it enhances health and nutritional literacy and shapes long-term health behaviors. In the context of a performance-oriented society, increasing pressure on body image and athletic performance, combined with inaccurate information about nutrition and training, may lead to restrictive dieting behaviors, excessive physical load, and reduced energy availability. These factors are associated with physiological correlates of excessive exercise and dietary restriction, including hormonal alterations, disruption of energy homeostasis,...

Measures and water quality monitoring in artificial swimming pools in relation to the occurrence of amoebae

Darko Babjak, Lucia Chomová, Marian Umrian, Emília Pavleová

Hygiena 2026, 71(1):31-34 | DOI: 10.21101/hygiena.a1909

A case of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis reported in Slovakia in June 2025, caused by Naegleria fowleri, prompted the implementation of preventive inspections targeting swimming pool water at the most frequently used artificial bathing facilities. These inspections conducted by the Public Health Authority of the Slovak Republic and the Regional Public Health Authorities, focused on assessing biological water quality, with particular emphasis on the occurrence of amoebae in different types of swimming pools. In addition, relevant physicochemical parameters were measured at the sampling sites in accordance with the requirements set out in...

Body care services. Part 1: The role of supervisory authorities

Ivana Schwallerová, Eva Čehovská, Jana Derková, Jarmila Petříčková

Hygiena 2026, 71(1):35-37 | DOI: 10.21101/hygiena.a1913

This short communication presents the first part of a series updating the 2012 recommendations for body care services, focusing on the role of supervisory authorities in this sector. It summarizes the legal framework and highlights that these services, often perceived as merely aesthetic, have a significant impact on public health. The text emphasizes the necessity of adhering to hygienic-epidemiological principles, ensuring professional competence, and conducting individual client assessments, including the identification of contraindications. It further describes the competencies of public health protection authorities, the Czech Trade Inspection...

The Hustopeče nad Bečvou benzene accident: a public health perspective

Klára Jarešová, Hana Tomášková, Pavel Danihelka, Rastislav Maďar, Ivan Tomášek, Eduard Ježo, Matyáš Fošum, Lenka Pešáková

Hygiena 2026, 71(1):20-24 | DOI: 10.21101/hygiena.a1906  

Benzene (C₆H₆) is a colourless, highly volatile, and flammable aromatic liquid with toxic and carcinogenic effects on human health, and is also hazardous to the environment. While several major accidents involving benzene leaks have occurred in the past, the extraordinary event that took place on February 28, 2025, near Hustopeče nad Bečvou, represents the largest accident of its kind in the Czech Republic and likely one of the most extensive benzene-related incidents worldwide. During the derailment of a freight train transporting approximately 1,020 tons of benzene, fifteen out of seventeen cisterns were engulfed in fire, and...

Importance of preventive programmes for population health in the Czech Republic – reality in 2025

Renáta Kohutová, Markéta Skalná, Hana Plánovská

Hygiena 2026, 71(1):25-29 | DOI: 10.21101/hygiena.a1902

Preventive programmes represent a fundamental pillar of modern medicine and contribute significantly to improving the health status of the population of the Czech Republic. This short communication summarises the current overview of the full range of screening programmes for adults paid for by public health insurance in 2025 and evaluates their perception and experience of two target groups based on a questionnaire survey. It focusses on the key areas of cancer screening (breast, cervical, colorectal, prostate, and lung cancer), early detection of osteoporosis, abdominal aortic aneurysm, dementia, and expanded newborn screening. The survey shows a...

Legal news in the period 10. 12. 2025 – 25. 3. 2026

Eva Nekvindová

Hygiena 2026, 71(1):30  

Why regional public health authorities should retain their competencies in the field of lighting

Marie Juklová

Hygiena 2026, 71(1):41-43 | DOI: 10.21101/hygiena.a1916  

Recommendations for swimming pool operators – prevention and procedures for the occurrence of amoebae

Úrad verejného zdravotníctva Slovenskej republiky

Hygiena 2026, 71(1):38-40 | DOI: 10.21101/hygiena.a1917  

Mercury spill prevention and management: new recommendations

Ondřej Zvěřina

Hygiena 2026, 71(1):37  

Posthumous award for Jan Ševčík, MD

Eva Helisová

Hygiena 2026, 71(1):44  

Changes to the Editorial Board

Redakční rada časopisu Hygiena

Hygiena 2026, 71(1):44  

Editions of Hygiena Journal for 2025

František Kožíšek, Jana Veselá

Hygiena 2026, 71(1):44  

New publication on waste and health

Zdeňka Podolská

Hygiena 2026, 71(1):19  

Nutrition – retional human nutrition (2nd expanded edition)

Kvetoslava Rimárová

Hygiena 2026, 71(1):40