US DEPT OF HHS: Hepatitis E virus infection may be wi widespread in rats.

0 Comments | M2 Presswire, August, 1999

M2 PRESSWIRE-20 August 1999-US DEPT OF HHS: Hepatitis E virus infection may be widespread in rats (C)1994-99 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD RDATE:180899 A study led by researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) suggests that hepatitis E virus (HEV) is common among wild rats in the United States.

Although hepatitis E disease is very rare among people in the United States, many have HEV antibodies in their blood - evidence that they were once infected with the virus, even though it did not make them sick. The finding raises questions about whether there is any connection between rats and HEV infection in humans. A report of the study appears in the August 1999 issue of the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Scientists analyzed blood...