A first case of Hepatitis E virus in Humans is recorded in Hong Kong.
The University of Hong Kong termed this new virus transferred from rats as a “major public health significance” and was reported in a 56-year-old man.
This was the first rat HEV case that has crossed over to humans says the study.
This Rat HEV is a distant relative of the human HEV, notes a report by MedicalXpress.
The university said the male patient had undergone a liver transplant and since then has been showing abnormal liver function according to the conducted tests.
The patient has reportedly contracted the disease by eating food spoiled by rats, and the patient came from a severely infested area of rats said the University study.
“This study conclusively proves for the first time in the world that rat HEV can infect humans to cause clinical infection,” reported HKU.
The rodent issues in Honk Kong have escalated due to hot and humid weather said reports.
The region is also witnessing different diseases from the past with one such outbreak already witnessed in 2003 called the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) which claimed lives of at least 300 people and was one of the fast-spreading epidemic.
This particular rat-carried infection called the bubonic plague has reached Hong Kong in the late 19 century through Mainland China, killing thousands in the process said reports.
According to WHO, HEV affects tens of millions of people each year and is a liver disease which is usually spread through contaminated drinking water.
The symptoms for this disease include fever, vomiting, jaundice, and in severe cases, can lead to liver failure.
Though not a fatal disease it still causes severe discomfort among its patients.
It is not clear at this time if the rat version of the disease is as dangerous.