Advances in the study of hepatitis E virus transmission / 中国人兽共患病学报

ABSTRACT

Hepatitis E virus is an RNA virus,which is classified into 4 genotypes.HEV-1 and HEV-2 genotypes are transmitted by the contaminated water in human infections.HEV-3 and HEV-4 genotypes are typical zoonosis viruses,which mainly infect pig,wild boar and deer,and also could infect rabbit,rat,sheep,poultry and other animals.In addition,HEV-1 and HEV-2 oceasionally infect human beings via foodborne transmission by the contaminated water,undercooked meat and viscera.HEV Infection is a self limiting disease,but a few of the infections turn into chronic hepatitis,cirrhosis and other liver diseases.HEV infection is globally prevelent.In China,the majority of infections HEV-4 caused sporadic cases except an HEV-1 outbreak in Xinjiang 30 years ago.The continuous development of the "One Belt and Road" initiative may increase the risk of introducing more virulent HEV-1 viruses from overseas countries.China has developed a vaccine(HEV239) to prevent the infection of hepatitis E virus,Which will play an important role in the control of HEV epidemic in China.