Rabbit-associated hepatitis E viruses (HEVs) cause zoonotic infections. We investigated 2,389 hares in Germany during 2007-2014. Complete genome characterization of a hare-associated HEV strain revealed close genomic relatedness to rabbit-associated HEV strains. Although hare-specific HEV seroprevalence was low, at 2.6%, hares represent a potential source of sporadic HEV infections.
Keywords: Germany; HEV; Hares; Hepatitis; Hepatitis E; Orthohepevirus; Rabbits; Viruses; Zoonoses; hepatitis E virus.