A strain of hepatitis E virus (HEV) common in rats, called "rat HEV," has been found to infect humans.
At least 20 human cases have been reported, including in people with normal immune function.
People infected with rat HEV did not report exposure to rats, suggesting an indirect transmission.
Consumption of raw pork, a suspected cause of other human HEV infections, could be a possible route for rat HEV as well.
Researchers found that a strain of rat HEV isolated from humans could infect pigs and was transmitted among them in farm-like conditions.
Rats are common pests in swine barns, making the pork production industry a potential setting for rat HEV transmission to humans.
Hepatitis E is the leading cause of acute viral liver infection in humans worldwide, especially in regions with poor sanitation.
One strain linked to human disease is known as LCK-3110.
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