World's second case of rat hepatitis E in humans

Once again a human infected with rat hepatitis E.

Only a few weeks ago, the world's first case of rat hepatitis E in humans became known. Now it is reported that another person has been infected with the dangerous virus. According to experts, the two infections are not interconnected.

70-year-old woman infected with rat hepatitis E.

About two months ago, scientists from the University of Hong Kong reported the first case of rat hepatitis E in humans. According to the researchers, a 56-year-old man had been infected with the rat hepatitis E virus. Now another infection became known. According to a South China Morning Post report, this time a 70-year-old woman from Hong Kong is affected. Although she is only about three kilometers from the first patient to live, the two infections are not interconnected.

After about two months ago, the world's first case of rat hepatitis E in humans has been reported, now another infection has become known. (Image: kichigin19 / fotolia.com)

No reason to panic

State Secretary for Food and Health, Sophia Chan Siu-chee, said hours after she learned that she was very concerned about the second case.

Dr. Siddharth Sridhar, a professor at the University of Hong Kong, said the second case showed that the rat hepatitis E virus could be transmitted to humans.

"If a person's immune system is weak, they could become infected with the virus," said Sridhar, adding that there is no cause for panic as the case occurred last year.

Patient has recovered

The woman was admitted to the Kwong Wah hospital at the beginning of May with symptoms such as abdominal pain, loss of appetite and malaise.

She also suffered from other illnesses. In addition, her immune system had been weakened.

Four days later, she was released relaxed.

The patient's blood sample collected during her hospitalization is later found to carry the rat hepatitis E virus.

The woman did not remember the direct contact with rodents and their excretions or rats in their house.

"Based on available epidemiological information, the source and route of infection could not be determined," said a spokesperson for the district.

However, Sridhar said it was possible that the woman unknowingly came into contact with rodents:

"Not to see does not mean there was no contact," says Sridhar. "It's possible that rodent excretions somehow got into the food the patient ate."

No connection between the two cases

At the end of September, the world's first case of rat hepatitis E in humans had been reported.

The 56-year-old man had undergone a liver transplant in May of last year and developed persistent abnormal liver function two months later.

At that time, the doctors suspected that the person had possibly become infected because he was consuming foods that were contaminated with rat droppings.

The metropolis has long struggled with a rat plague.

The woman's house in the second case is about two miles from the man's.

However, Sridhar said that the current evidence showed no direct links between the two patients.

Infections by pork

According to the University of Hong Kong scientists, the rat hepatitis E virus is very distantly related to human hepatitis E virus variants.

In Europe, the consumption of raw or uncooked pork and liver is the most common cause of hepatitis E infection.

Most of these infections heal with those with no or little noticeable symptoms.

Sometimes it comes only after weeks to flu-like symptoms such as fever, nausea and vomiting or even dark urine.

Later, jaundice and upper abdominal pain are often added, the former not occurring in all patients.

However, for people with weakened immune systems or chronic liver disease, infection can be very dangerous.

These persons are at risk of chronic courses with acute complaints or dangerous liver cirrhosis. (Ad)