Transmission patterns of hepatitis E virus
Jil A Haase, Sarah Schlienkamp, Julian J Ring, Eike Steinmann
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) causes sporadic cases in industrialized countries and endemic outbreaks in areas with lower sanitation standards. The wide host reservoir of HEV makes it a potential source of new zoonotic transmission and dissemination in humans. Thus, the perception of HEV as a confined ailment has shifted to one of global concern. Considering HEV’s environmental stability and heterogeneity in the host range of HEV’s genotypes, various transmission pathways and sources for HEV infections are plausible. Here, we provide an overview on HEV’s transmission routes and discuss the role of HEV as a foodborne zoonosis, as well as preventive measures and open research questions. • HEV transmission via the food chain is a critical source of infection worldwide • HEV’s wide host range poses zoonotic spillover risk neccessitating to be tracked • Bloodborne transmission of HEV poses a great risk especially for high-risk groups • Surveillance studies need to examine the prevalence and infectivity in food products • HEV countermeasures (i.e. vaccine, antivirals) need to be pursued globally