To explore the role of a One Health approach in enhancing surveillance and diagnostic strategies for hepatitis E virus (HEV) in Europe, focusing on the integration of animal, human, and environmental health data.
Key Findings:
HEV is under-recognized in Europe, with a significant antibody prevalence among blood donors, indicating a potential public health risk.
Main reservoirs of HEV genotype 3 are domestic pigs and wild boars, with close genetic links to human strains, highlighting the zoonotic nature of the virus.
Foodborne transmission is the primary route, particularly through undercooked pork and wild boar meat, necessitating improved food safety measures.
Environmental water sources contain HEV, but the direct risk of infection is low; however, indirect risks exist through contaminated food, emphasizing the need for environmental monitoring.
Surveillance systems for human, veterinary, and environmental health are not well aligned, limiting understanding of HEV transmission and complicating public health responses.
Interpretation:
A comprehensive One Health approach is essential for effective HEV surveillance and management, specifically addressing gaps in environmental monitoring and animal reservoir research to enhance public health outcomes.
Limitations:
Limited environmental surveillance and research on animal reservoirs hinder comprehensive understanding of HEV transmission dynamics.
Lack of standardized methods for sampling and surveillance across sectors complicates data comparison and integration.
Conclusion:
Improving food safety and biosecurity, alongside enhanced environmental monitoring, are critical for reducing HEV transmission in Europe, with potential policy implications for public health strategies.
Protection against spread appeared strongest within 6 months of vaccination, while exposed vaccinated contacts showed no measurable reduction in infection risk.
