Lack of Hepatitis E Infection among Backpackers to Tropical Countries

Abstract

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a feco-orally transmitted virus that occurs primarily among the indigenous populations of the Indian subcontinent, Central America and Africa. Most recognized cases of HEV occur after contamination of water supplies such as after monsoon flooding.1,2 In contrast with hepatitis A infection, secondary person-to-person spread is rare. Most cases of HEV are reported in epidemics, but sporadic cases also occur. Backpackers traveling from developed to developing countries are potentially at increased risk for acquisition of feco-orally transmitted organisms. The risk of acquisition of HEV among backpackers is unclear. We aimed at studying prospectively the rate of HEV in a group of backpackers and its association with lifestyle.