Posted on 09/28/2018 9:06:00 AM PDT by Red Badger
A Hong Kong man has developed the world's first ever human case of the rat version of the hepatitis E virus, according to new research from one of the city's leading universities.
There had previously been no evidence the disease could jump from rats to humans, the University of Hong Kong said Friday, warning the discovery had "major public health significance".
"This study conclusively proves for the first time in the world that rat HEV can infect humans to cause clinical infection," the university added.
Rat hepatitis E virus is very distantly related to human hepatitis E virus variants, HKU said.
The disease was found in a 56-year-old man who persistently produced abnormal liver function tests following a liver transplant.
He could have contracted the illness through food infected by rat droppings, researchers said, according to details of the findings reported in the South China Morning Post.
The man lived in a housing estate where there were signs of rat infestation outside his home. He is now recovering after being treated for the virus, the SCMP added.
The human version of hepatitis E is a liver disease that affects 20 million people globally each year, according to the World Health Organisation.
It is usually spread through contaminated drinking water.
Symptoms include fever, vomiting and jaundice, and in rare cases liver failure.
Rodent problems in Hong Kong have escalated in recent months because of a sustained spell of hot and humid weather.
Hong Kong has been hit hard by disease outbreaks in the past.
In 2003, almost 300 people died from SARS—severe acute respiratory syndrome.
The bubonic plague, carried by rats, swept through mainland China and Hong Kong in the late 19th century killing thousands.
Coming soon to NYC, along with the enormous influx of Chinese, legal and ILLEGAL. They bring along with them their charming tenement lifestyle and habits, so I would expect them to bring along their diseases as well. Oh, if only they had Ellis Island inspections of all would-be immigrants again.
Is it a sexually transmitted disease?
I don’t have sex with rodents..................
Really, because Washington DC seems overrun with rat disease.
This is a NEW one....................
LOL! I was going to say that all Democrats should be tested for it.
Disease is one of the main reasons for having and enforcing immigration laws.
Right now I know a doctor who says the medical world is seeing diseases and conditions that have not appeared in developed countries since the middle ages.
For crying out loud... you can’t bring a dog or a parakeet into this country without extended quarantine... so why do VERY suspect humans get a pass?
dogs and parakeets don’t vote..................
...built the ******* wall!
...and it’s a good thing too..
Yup
Again and again it’s begin proven diseases do indeed can be spread between species.
Not good when it jumps species. You have to wonder what other little mutations came along with that.
Umm...can gerbils carry this disease?
Asking for a friend...Richard Gere
I thought it was found in the Senate hearing this week.
Ha!
First case of Rat Disease in China? Enter Rat Boy, Eric Holder, the indisputable rat disease carrier.
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