Hepatitis E

Overview

  • RNA hepevirus

  • spread by the faecal-oral route

  • incubation period: 3-8 weeks

  • common in Central and South-East Asia, North and West Africa, and in Mexico

  • causes a similar disease to hepatitis A, but carries a significant mortality (about 20%) during pregnancy

  • does not cause chronic disease or an increased risk of hepatocellular cancer

  • a vaccine is currently in development, but is not yet in widespread use