Zoonotic Agents

Epidemiology of Hepatitis E Virus in UK Pig Farms

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Abstract

Human infection with Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a public health concern across Europe. The virus is carried asymptomatically by pigs, and can be potentially passed to humans via pork products if pigs are slaughtered while actively infected. As shown in other countries who have studied HEV recently, the virus in the UK is believed to be widespread in pig herds, but little is known about the transmission within pig farms or the ability of the virus to persist in the environment. The prevalence in UK slaughtered pigs is thought to be low. However, there is interest Worldwide in understanding how to control HEV on farm. The high prevalence means that trying to prevent infection in pigs is difficult to apply at the moment. Another option may be at first to employ herd management strategies that reduce the spread of HEV or limit infection being present at slaughter age. However, in order to advise on what these management strategies should entail, a better understanding of HEV epidemiology within typical pig production systems is first needed.

How to Cite:

Voller, C., (2023) “Epidemiology of Hepatitis E Virus in UK Pig Farms”, SafePork 14(1).