Hepatitis E is an infection caused by hepatitis E virus, one of the main hepatitis viruses that can cause liver disease [1][4][5]. Cases are clinically indistinguishable from other acute viral hepatitis or other infectious diseases causing jaundice, but can be suspected in appropriate epidemiologic settings [1]. Genotypes 1 and 2 primarily infect humans, whereas genotypes 3 and 4 mainly infect non-human mammals and cause occasional zoonotic disease [1]. HEV is estimated to be one of the commonest causes of acute hepatitis globally [2].
Disease overview
Hepatitis E
戊型肝炎
Evidence-backed informationEN 6/7 applicable sections · ZH 6/7 applicable sectionsUpdated Sep 3, 2026
Hepatitis E is a viral infection caused by hepatitis E virus (HEV) and is one of the commonest causes of acute hepatitis [1][2]. It occurs worldwide and is common in low- and middle-income settings with limited water, sanitation, and hygiene, with outbreaks or sporadic cases linked to contaminated water and, for some genotypes, undercooked meat [1]. Most infections are asymptomatic or self-limited, although severe disease can occur, especially in pregnant women [1][3]. WHO supports outbreak response and has facilitated vaccine availability through an international coordination mechanism [1].
Read the full clinical and epidemiological profile7
The incubation period ranges from 2 to 10 weeks, averaging 5 to 6 weeks, and infected persons may excrete virus from a few days before onset to 3-4 weeks after onset [1]. In highly endemic areas, symptomatic infection is most common in young adults aged 15-40 years, while children often have no symptoms or only mild illness without jaundice [1]. Clinical manifestations overlap with other acute viral hepatitis and other infectious diseases causing jaundice, so they may be indistinguishable on symptoms alone [1]. Severe courses have been described in pregnant women with genotype 1 and in older men or patients with underlying chronic disease with genotype 3 [2].
Hepatitis E is found worldwide and is common in low- and middle-income countries with limited access to essential water, sanitation, hygiene, and health services [1]. Infection may occur as outbreaks or sporadic cases, and symptomatic infection is most common in young adults aged 15-40 years in highly endemic areas [1]. HEV has four major genotypes with distinct routes and geographical distributions; genotypes 1 and 2 primarily infect humans, whereas genotypes 3 and 4 mainly infect non-human mammals and cause occasional zoonotic disease [1]. HEV is estimated to be one of the commonest causes of acute hepatitis globally, and it can be endemic in high-income countries, where it is largely zoonotic [2].
Hepatitis E is typically associated with ingestion of contaminated food or water [1][4]. Genotypes 1 and 2 are commonly transmitted by contaminated water through a fecal-oral route [1][3]. Genotypes 3 and 4 are mainly zoonotic, with transmission through consumption of uncooked or undercooked meat and likely environmental sources [1]. Infected persons can excrete virus from a few days before onset to 3-4 weeks after onset [1].
Pregnant women are a risk group for more severe hepatitis E disease, especially in settings with known endemicity or risk of water contamination [1].
A hepatitis E vaccine has been approved under an international coordination mechanism, and WHO is working with partners to make vaccines available as an outbreak response intervention [1]. Vaccines to prevent hepatitis E have also been described in the broader viral hepatitis prevention context [6]. WHO guidance addresses recognition, investigation, and control of waterborne hepatitis E outbreaks [1]. The association of hepatitis E with limited water, sanitation, and hygiene services and with undercooked meat transmission informs public health prevention priorities [1].
- 1World Health Organization. Hepatitis E [Internet]. cited 2 Sept 2026.Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-e
- 2Gunsar F et al. Hepatitis E update. Hepatol Forum. 2020 Jan. PMID: 35949660. doi: 10.14744/hf.2020.0001.PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35949660/
- 3Songtanin B et al. Hepatitis E Virus Infections: Epidemiology, Genetic Diversity, and Clinical Considerations. Viruses. 2023 Jun 17. PMID: 37376687. doi: 10.3390/v15061389.PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37376687/
- 4World Health Organization. Hepatitis [Internet]. cited 1 Sept 2026.Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/hepatitis
- 5World Health Organization. Hepatitis [Internet]. cited 1 Sept 2026.Available from: https://www.who.int/health-topics/hepatitis
- 6Odenwald MA et al. Viral hepatitis: Past, present, and future. World J Gastroenterol. 2022 Apr 14. PMID: 35582678. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v28.i14.1405.PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35582678/
- B17.2
- 1E50.4
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Showing 5 of 28 related publications.
Literature links are provided for discovery and do not alter or validate the surveillance series above.
Data access
Page dataset index with source links and update metadata.
Official sourcesAuthority, cadence, notes86
Australia NINDSS
Australia
Australian national notifiable diseases surveillance dashboard.
Australia NINDSS — Australian Capital Territory
Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Australian NINDSS monthly state/territory notifications for Australian Capital Territory, kept separate from the Australia national aggregate.
Australia NINDSS — Northern Territory
Northern Territory, Australia
Australian NINDSS monthly state/territory notifications for Northern Territory, kept separate from the Australia national aggregate.
Australia NINDSS — Queensland
Queensland, Australia
Australian NINDSS monthly state/territory notifications for Queensland, kept separate from the Australia national aggregate.
Australia NINDSS — South Australia
South Australia, Australia
Australian NINDSS monthly state/territory notifications for South Australia, kept separate from the Australia national aggregate.
Australia NINDSS — Tasmania
Tasmania, Australia
Australian NINDSS monthly state/territory notifications for Tasmania, kept separate from the Australia national aggregate.
Australia NINDSS — Victoria
Victoria, Australia
Australian NINDSS monthly state/territory notifications for Victoria, kept separate from the Australia national aggregate.
Australia NINDSS — Western Australia
Western Australia, Australia
Australian NINDSS monthly state/territory notifications for Western Australia, kept separate from the Australia national aggregate.
Switzerland FOPH IDD
Switzerland
Switzerland FOPH/BAG IDD mandatory reporting API normalized to national case rows. Monthly series may use the dashboard CHFL aggregate where CH-only monthly series are not exposed.
China CDC Weekly
China
Monthly notifiable infectious disease reports published by China CDC.
National Disease Control and Prevention Administration
China
Official China public health bulletin and query portal.
PubMed
China
Biomedical literature discovery feed used as supplementary context.
Public Health Science Data Center
Anhui, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Anhui, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Public Health Science Data Center
Beijing, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Beijing, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Public Health Science Data Center
Chongqing, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Chongqing, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Public Health Science Data Center
Fujian, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Fujian, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Public Health Science Data Center
Guangdong, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Guangdong, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Public Health Science Data Center
Gansu, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Gansu, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Public Health Science Data Center
Guangxi, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Guangxi, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Public Health Science Data Center
Guizhou, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Guizhou, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Public Health Science Data Center
Henan, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Henan, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Public Health Science Data Center
Hubei, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Hubei, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Public Health Science Data Center
Hebei, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Hebei, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Public Health Science Data Center
Hainan, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Hainan, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Public Health Science Data Center
Heilongjiang, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Heilongjiang, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Public Health Science Data Center
Hunan, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Hunan, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Public Health Science Data Center
Jilin, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Jilin, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Public Health Science Data Center
Jiangsu, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Jiangsu, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Public Health Science Data Center
Jiangxi, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Jiangxi, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Public Health Science Data Center
Liaoning, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Liaoning, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Public Health Science Data Center
Inner Mongolia, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Inner Mongolia, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Public Health Science Data Center
Ningxia, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Ningxia, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Public Health Science Data Center
Qinghai, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Qinghai, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Public Health Science Data Center
Sichuan, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Sichuan, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Public Health Science Data Center
Shandong, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Shandong, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Public Health Science Data Center
Shanghai, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Shanghai, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Public Health Science Data Center
Shaanxi, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Shaanxi, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Public Health Science Data Center
Shanxi, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Shanxi, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Public Health Science Data Center
Tianjin, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Tianjin, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Public Health Science Data Center
Xinjiang, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Xinjiang, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Public Health Science Data Center
Tibet, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Tibet, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Public Health Science Data Center
Yunnan, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Yunnan, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Public Health Science Data Center
Zhejiang, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Zhejiang, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Finland THL Infectious Diseases Register
Finland
Finland THL Infectious Diseases Register national monthly case counts. The current month is ingested as provisional and the latest three months are refreshed for source revisions.
Hong Kong, China CHP Notifiable Diseases
Hong Kong, China
Hong Kong, China CHP annual notifiable infectious disease CSVs normalized to national monthly totals
Iceland Directorate of Health Annual Dashboard
Iceland
National annual case notifications by disease. Published values can be revised retrospectively and remain annual period totals.
Iceland Directorate of Health STI Dashboard
Iceland
Monthly STI diagnosis facts from laboratory and registry surveillance; the official dashboard is published on a quarterly schedule.
Iceland Directorate of Health Respiratory Dashboard
Iceland
ISO-week respiratory diagnosis counts. Hospitalizations, samples, and vaccination indicators are separate measures and are not counted as diagnoses.
Iceland Directorate of Health Historical Registry
Iceland
Historical official registry tables for 1997–2021, with annual totals and disease-specific monthly notification facts retained at source grain.
Iceland Directorate of Health Legacy ICD Monthly
Iceland
Historical Saga EHR ICD encounter counts for 1997–2020. This clinical measure is non-comparable with registry notifications and is kept separate.
JP NIID Weekly
Japan
Japan weekly infectious disease surveillance via NIID/JIHS.
Korea KDCA EID
South Korea
Korea KDCA notifiable infectious disease OpenAPI or portal/KOSIS downloads aggregated to national monthly notification counts.
Sweden Public Health Agency SmiNet
Sweden
Sweden SmiNet national monthly reported cases from the official Public Health Agency statistics pages; public release is enabled with closed-month publication and revisable recent-month refreshes.
Singapore CDA Weekly Infectious Diseases Bulletin
Singapore
Singapore national weekly case notifications, combining the official data.gov.sg 2012–2022 CSV history with CDA annual workbooks from 2023 onward; 2023 weekly PDFs are retained as a source fallback.
Taiwan, China CDC NIDSS
Taiwan, China
Taiwan, China monthly notifiable infectious disease open-data CSV feed.