Researchers have been unable to identify the specific food item that caused a spike in hepatitis E infections in Switzerland, but some pork products were indicated.
Scientists studied the unprecedented increase in hepatitis E virus (HEV) cases from January to May 2021. Findings were published in the journal IJID One Health.
Overall, 55 cases reported at least one symptom of infection, while 30 reported no symptoms and 29 people had to be hospitalized because of their HEV infection. Two men over the age of 65 died. For one the cause of death was neurological complications after HEV infection.