Hepatitis E

Hepatitis E is a non-enveloped RNA virus responsible for large epidemics of acute hepatitis and a large proportion of sporadic hepatitis cases in the Indian subcontinent, southeast and central Asia, the Middle East, and parts of Africa and Mexico. The virus is excreted in feces and transmitted mainly by the fecal-oral route-person-to-person transmission is uncommon. Clinical illness is similar to other forms of acute viral hepatitis, except in pregnant women, for whom illness is especially severe. Chronic hepatitis is not known to occur. Specific treatment or vaccines are not yet available, and the most effective mode of prevention is the uses of clean water and proper sanitation.