Detection of Rat Hepatitis E Virus in Pigs, Spain, 2023

Abstract

We identified rat hepatitis E virus (HEV) RNA in farmed pigs from Spain. Our results indicate that pigs might be susceptible to rat HEV and could serve as viral intermediaries between rodents and humans. Europe should evaluate the prevalence of rat HEV in farmed pigs to assess the risk to public health.

Transmission and Surveillance of Rat Hepatitis E Virus in Swine

“…To the Editor: The study by Rios-Muñoz et al reporting rat hepatitis E virus (HEV) RNA in swine feces contains intriguing findings with the potential to change our understanding of rat HEV transmission routes ( 1 ). One relevant aspect highlighted by the authors is that limited prior evidence of rat HEV infection in swine might be partially explained by the lack of rat HEV serology tests for pigs.…”