Hepatitis E Virus in Wild Boars and Spillover Infection in Red and Roe Deer, Germany, 2013-2015

Emerg Infect Dis. 2017 Jan;23(1):130-133. doi: 10.3201/eid2301.161169.

Abstract

To determine animal hepatitis E virus (HEV) reservoirs, we analyzed serologic and molecular markers of HEV infection among wild animals in Germany. We detected HEV genotype 3 strains in inner organs and muscle tissues of a high percentage of wild boars and a lower percentage of deer, indicating a risk for foodborne infection of humans.

Keywords: Germany; Hepatitis E virus; fallow deer; red deer; roe deer; spillover; viruses; wild boar; zoonoses.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Deer
  • Epidemiological Monitoring / veterinary
  • Germany / epidemiology
  • Hepatitis Antibodies / blood*
  • Hepatitis E / epidemiology*
  • Hepatitis E / transmission
  • Hepatitis E / veterinary*
  • Hepatitis E / virology
  • Hepatitis E virus / classification
  • Hepatitis E virus / genetics
  • Hepatitis E virus / isolation & purification
  • Incidence
  • Liver / virology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / virology
  • RNA, Viral / genetics*
  • Sus scrofa
  • Zoonoses / epidemiology*
  • Zoonoses / transmission
  • Zoonoses / virology

Substances

  • Hepatitis Antibodies
  • RNA, Viral