Does Hepatitis E Virus Need to Be Considered as a Re-Emerging Problem in Both Industrialized and Developing Countries?

Abstract

Hepatitis E caused by the Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) is a liver disease resulting in over 20 million cases every year. Hepatitis E is now considered by some scientists as an emerging issue as HEV is not only prevalent in developing countries but is increasingly detected in industrialized nations. In this paper, we try to provide evidence for this notion and what actions may need to be implemented to prevent further spreading of HEV. The prevalence of HEV, including its distinct genotype distribution in different geographic regions (including both developing countries and industrialized countries) will be discussed; further discussions of HEV treatments will include the availability and the mechanism of HEV vaccines and antiviral treatments used to treat and contain the disease. Additionally, the prevention and spreading of Hepatitis E disease will be discussed in the later section of the paper. With the presentation of HEV transmission route, infection regions, and treatment, we aim to raise the awareness of the general public toward this liver disease and discuss whether the high prevalence disease is an emerging disease worldwide. According to the data we collected, the rate of HEV infection is high and shows a trend of increasing, which leads to our conclusion and proves our hypothesis that Hepatitis E is a re-emerging disease.