Hong Kong man diagnosed with rat hepatitis E infection after being admitted to hospital for underlying illnesses
- The patient, who lives on a public housing estate in Aberdeen, was admitted to Queen Mary Hospital for treatment of underlying illnesses
- The source and route of infection could not be determined, health authorities said
Health authorities in Hong Kong have launched an investigation into a rare human case of rat hepatitis E virus involving a 61-year-old man who was infected by an undetermined source.
The patient, who lives on a public housing estate in Aberdeen, was admitted to Queen Mary Hospital in Pok Fu Lam on April 7 for treatment of his underlying illnesses. Five days later, he was found to have abnormal liver functions.
His condition improved and he was transferred to Tung Wah Hospital for rehabilitation on Wednesday. His blood sample tested positive for the rat hepatitis E virus.
It was the second infection with the virus this year, after one was recorded in January. There were six cases last year.
The Centre for Health Protection’s investigations found neither rodents nor their droppings in the patient’s home on Shek Pai Wan Estate. He also had no travel history during the incubation period. His home contacts remained asymptomatic.
“Based on the available epidemiological information, the source and the route of infection could not be determined,” a centre spokesman said on Thursday.