Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an enterically transmitted virus usually presenting as an acute self-limiting disease. However, mortality increases dramatically from around 1% to 20% in pregnant women. HEV has been the cause of very large outbreaks of hepatitis in developing countries and is also responsible for a significant number of sporadic cases. It is clear that cases occur outside the endemic areas, and new isolates have been identified. HEV-like viruses have also been found in various animal groups, and it is likely that HEV can be regarded as a zoonotic infection. Preventative measures at the moment depend mainly on the provision of clean water supplies, although a vaccine is now undergoing clinical trials.
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Skidmore, S. Overview of hepatitis E virus. Curr Infect Dis Rep 4, 118–123 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11908-002-0051-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11908-002-0051-x