title: Epidemiology of hepatitis E in China.
abstract: A total of 9 hepatitis E epidemics have been documented in China since 1982. Five of them were waterborne and four foodborne, and they occurred in 6 of 30 provinces or autonomous regions in the country. The disease most frequently affects young adults, with fewer cases in children and the elderly. A relative male excess of cases has been observed. However, the fatality rate in female patients with hepatitis E is significantly higher than in males. The disease has a distinctive autumn seasonality in endemic areas. A peak of fecal excretion of hepatitis E virus is found at the late incubation period and early acute phase. The incubation period of the disease ranges from 15 to 75 days, with a mean of 36 days. A randomized double-blind and controlled study showed that human immune serum globulin had no prophylactic effects on hepatitis E.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Beijing Medical University, China.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhuang
authors.forename: X Y
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: C B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012621:Seasons; D012737:Sex Factors