First case of rat disease in human discovered in Hong Kong
Medical experts have discovered the first-ever human case of rat disease in Hong Kong.
This first case of rat hepatitis E in human was found in a 56-year-old man.
Researchers from the University of Hong Hong explained that the patient was able to acquire it after he underwent liver transplant following a chronic infection with hepatitis B.
However, the man continued to show signs of abnormal liver function after the operation.
The genetic sequencing revealed that the infection has similarities to the rat form of the disease.
The patient was given antiviral treatment.
Based on a report published in CNN, Dr. Siddharth Sridhar said “previous laboratory experiments have found that rat hepatitis E virus cannot be transmitted to monkeys, and human hepatitis A virus cannot be transmitted to rats.”
Experts also said that people should not underestimate the effect of hepatitis E to humans.
Based on their investigations, there were signs of immune response to hepatitis E but test on human forms came out negative.
“The patient is cured, as of this stage we can no longer detect the virus in any clinical specimen,” Sridhar added.
Currently, they are investigating how the rat disease was able to cross over into a human, based on the report.
Because of this case, the team of Sridhar includes the hepatitis E virus to the “list of infections as an important pathogen that may be transmitted from rats to humans”.
In order to avoid another human case of rat disease, experts suggest:
- limit the rat population
- ensure there is no rubbish for rats to feed on
These are the symptoms of hepatitis E:
- Fever.
- Fatigue.
- Loss of appetite.
- Nausea.
- Vomiting.
- Abdominal pain.
- Jaundice.
- Dark urine.
