Surveillance of hepatitis E

How many cases are there of hepatitis E around the world?

Worldwide, every year there are an estimated:

• 20 million hepatitis E infections
• more than 3 million symptomatic cases of hepatitis E
• 56,600 hepatitis E-related deaths

Hepatitis E occurs worldwide, but is more common in areas with poor sanitation and hygiene. In developed countries, hepatitis E infection is generally reported from people who travel to hepatitis E endemic or epidemic areas.

Hepatitis E is endemic in:

• South, Central and East Asia
• Africa
• Central America
• the Middle East

However, some cases of locally-acquired hepatitis E infection have been observed in non-endemic countries, including:

• Australia
• France
• Greece
• Italy
• New Zealand
• United Kingdom
• U.S.
• Canada