HSE: Hepatitis E is a notifiable disease

The HSE has confirmed that Hepatitis E has been added to the list of notifiable diseases in Ireland under the Infectious Diseases (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 566 of 2015). All medical practitioners and laboratories are required to notify it to the Medical Officer of Health. Information on the process of notifying infectious diseases is available at: http://www.hpsc.ie/NotifiableDiseases/. Please find attached the updated list of notifiable diseases and the case definition for notifying hepatitis E. The booklet containing case definitions for all notifiable diseases is available at http://www.hpsc.ie/NotifiableDiseases/CaseDefinitions/ and will shortly be updated to include hepatitis E.

Hepatitis E virus is believed to be one of the most common causes of acute hepatitis worldwide with an increasing number of human cases being identified across Europe. Hepatitis E infection was traditionally associated with poor hygiene and transmission by the faecal-oral route in developing countries. However, it is now recognised as an emerging disease in many developed countries. Hepatitis E infections have been linked to the consumption of raw or undercooked pork or game meat. Transmission through occupational exposure to animals, particularly pigs, has also been reported. Hepatitis E has been found to be transmitted through infected blood products in several countries.

Hepatitis E is usually a self-limiting illness but it can result in liver failure in patients with pre-existing liver disease and in women infected during the third trimester of pregnancy. It may lead to chronic hepatitis in immunosuppressed patients.

Further information on hepatitis E is available at: http://www.hpsc.ie/A-Z/Hepatitis/HepatitisE/.