What Does Hepatitis Do To Animals: Insights Into Its Impact

Hepatitis in animals can manifest in various ways. In many cases, the disease is self-limiting and may not show any noticeable symptoms. However, there are instances where animals can develop acute hepatitis, characterized by classical signs indicating liver involvement. These signs may include jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and eyes, as well as anorexia, a loss of appetite, and hepatomegaly, an enlargement of the liver. It’s important to note that while some animals may experience mild or no symptoms, others may exhibit more severe clinical signs.

Can hepatitis infect animals? Indeed, hepatitis E virus (HEV) has the ability to infect specific mammals. When humans consume raw or undercooked meat or organs from these infected animals, it can result in the transmission of hepatitis E through foodborne routes. Notably, HEV RNA belonging to genotypes 3 and 4 has been isolated from various sources, including pork, boar, and deer meat (7). This