Hepatitis E Virus in Pigs from Slaughterhouses, United States, 2017-2019

Emerg Infect Dis. 2020 Feb;26(2):354-357. doi: 10.3201/eid2602.191348.

Abstract

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) RNA was detected in 6.3% and HEV IgG in 40% of 5,033 serum samples from market-weight pigs at 25 slaughterhouses in 10 US states. The prevalent HEV genotype was zoonotic genotype 3, group 2. Blood of HEV-viremic pigs from slaughterhouses may contaminate pork supply chains.

Keywords: HEV; HEV IgG; Hepatitis E virus; United States; genotype; market-weight pigs; pork safety; slaughterhouse; subgenotype; zoonoses.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abattoirs
  • Animals
  • Female
  • Hepatitis E / epidemiology
  • Hepatitis E / veterinary*
  • Hepatitis E virus / genetics
  • Hepatitis E virus / isolation & purification*
  • Male
  • Swine
  • Swine Diseases / blood
  • Swine Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Swine Diseases / etiology
  • United States / epidemiology