A cluster of hepatitis E virus infection in Hokkaido, Japan

Abstract

In summary, 4 individuals in Group A, including the initial patient, and 1 in Group B were considered to be infected with HEV due to the detection of HEV RNA and/or the presence of anti-HEV IgM antibodies. HEV infection is generally subclinical during approximately 6 weeks following primary infection even in individuals who develop the illness (4). Most HEV-infected cases recover spontaneously without developing obvious hepatitis or even any symptoms. The period in which it is possible to detect the viral gene from clinical specimens is limited to the acute phase. Therefore, it is generally difficult to identify the source of infection or trace the route of infection.