In Hong Kong case is the first to become known that a man with a rat Hepatitis has been infected. Even if the man can be cured, the researchers are alarmed: “infections that can be transmitted from an animal to a human, must be taken very seriously.”
A man in Hong Kong has been infected with the rat variant of the Hepatitis E Virus. According to the University of Hong Kong (HKU), this is the first case of its kind in the world.
For the first time, researchers have demonstrated that the rat-Hepatitis E Virus can infect humans, said the HKU. In a study presented discovery have a major importance for the health sector. The rats hepatitis is a very distant relative of the human variants of Hepatitis E.
Sultry, rats, plague, monsoon – ideal conditions for the Virus
The disease was diagnosed in a 56-year-old patient who had a transplant of the liver permanently anomalous values of the institution. The disease he may have contracted the newspaper South China Morning Post, according to the consumption of foods that were contaminated by the excrement of rats. After the treatment of rats with virus, the man is on the way to recovery.
As the rats variant could on the people skip, is yet unclear. Infections that can be transmitted from an animal to a human, must be taken very seriously, said Siddharth Sridhar of the Hong Kong University. According to his colleagues, the micro-Yuen Kwok biologists-yung, according to the researchers, different theories. Maybe sufficient after a certain period of time the genetic changes in the Virus in the rats to infect a human? It is also possible that the weakened immune system of transplant patients is behind it.
Hepatitis E, especially in South-East Asia a Problem
According to the world health organization (WHO) worldwide are affected annually by 20 million people by the human Hepatitis E variants. The Transmission is usually through contaminated water. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, jaundice and, in rare cases, liver failure.
In the former British colony of Hong Kong was returned in 1997 according to the formula of one country, two systems in the people’s Republic of China, intensified the rat plague in the last few months, due to the persistent hot and humid weather.
Hong Kong has faced in the past with epidemics on a large scale. In 2003, almost 300 people died in the Seven-million-inhabitants-of the respiratory virus Sars. At the end of the 19th century. Century, the of rat-borne bubonic plague thousands of people in Hong Kong and in mainland China over scooping up.
These viruses can cause Hepatitis in humans
Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver that is usually caused by viruses. Other causes can be diseases, alcohol, drugs, medication, or auto-immune. The common hepatitis viruses – A, B, C, D, and E may trigger Epediemien and lead to death.
- Hepatitis A: usually by contaminated water or contaminated food (e.g. mussels). Also in the sexual way of a Transmission is possible (fecal-oral). Compared with other Hepatitis infections, the disease course is relatively mild.
- Hepatitis B: One of the world’s most common viral infections. Transmission through contaminated blood and other body fluids. Preventative vaccinations are recommended.
- Hepatitis C: the main risk group are drug addicts, because of the HC Virus is mostly via contaminated syringes. A vaccine is not yet available.
- Hepatitis D: only people who already have a Hepatitis B infection. The combination can lead to liver cirrhosis or liver cancer. Hepatitis B vaccine also protects against Hepatitis D.
- Hepatitis E: water Is transferred and is, therefore, especially in Southeast Asia during the Monsumzeit a Problem. He will also be transferred over and even cooked meat. A vaccine is still in the testing stage.
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