Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
CHP investigates case of human infection of rat Hepatitis E virus ————–
The CHP’s epidemiological investigation revealed that the patient lives in a Residential Care Home for the Elderly (RCHE) in Kowloon City District and primarily spends his time in the RCHE and in the vicinity of the Homantin Plaza. The patient had no travel history during the incubation period. The case is classified as a locally acquired case. According to the information provided by the patient, the RCHE staff and the patient’s family, the patient had no direct contact with rodents or rats, nor were rats observed in the RCHE. Apart from the meals provided by the RCHE, the patient dines at a restaurant in Homantin Plaza with his family at least once or twice a week. The CHP does not rule out that the patient might have come into indirect contact with places or food contaminated by rats or their excreta during the incubation period. His family, other residents and staff of the RCHE have no symptoms currently and has been put under medical surveillance.
The CHP and the FEHD will continue to investigate the source and route of infection of this case.
This is the third case of human infection of rat HEV recorded so far this year.
Symptoms of rat hepatitis E
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Prevention
————– – Avoid handling rodents with bare hands;
– Wash hands with liquid soap and water immediately after handling animals, and disinfect contaminated areas; and
– If a wound appears, clean the broken skin immediately and cover it properly with waterproof adhesive dressings.
Rodent control requires co-operation from all sectors of society. The CHP urged the public to strengthen rodent prevention and control measures and co-operate with government’s efforts to reduce the risk of rat HEV transmission.
Issued at HKT 19:44
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