Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a spherical, non-enveloped, single stranded, positive-sense RNA (ribonucleic acid) virus. It induces a human viral hepatitis disease seen principally in developing countries. In HEV-endemic countries cases are generally due to the drinking of water contaminated with feces.
The “E” was chosen to illustrate its enteric, endemic and epidemic qualities, and made sense because hepatitis A, B, C and D viruses had already been identified as causing hepatitis (liver inflammation) in humans.
For additional information on Hepatitis E:
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