A new report shows there has been a sharp decline in hepatitis A cases throughout the United States. An analysis of federal data found that hospitalization rates have fallen from 7.2 to 2.9 patients per million patients admitted to hospitals from 2002 to 2011.

Hepatitis A cases have fallen by almost 90 percent over the past 20 years marking this increased decline as another major step forward in the fight against the potentially deadly liver disease. Vaccines like Twinrix, which protect against both Hepatitis A and B, can make a big difference.

“Hepatitis A vaccination is very important for everyone, especially travelers to high risk countries,” said Melanie Kohr, Vice-President of Clinic Operations for Passport Health. “Travel trends are on the rise, and if more people are vaccinated against this potentially deadly disease, then the likelihood of spreading it when a traveler returns greatly declines. This can play a critical role in national health in the long term and for the health of close family members no matter the situation.”