The number of hepatitis E infections has almost tripled in Finland – THL investigates one death and investigates the connection to meetwurst – 2024-03-12 22:25:06

The Food Agency has informed about the recall of Kotivara meat sausages. Inka Soveri / IL

Between January and February, 92 hepatitis E cases have been reported to the infectious disease register of the Norwegian Institute of Health and Welfare (THL). The number is almost triple compared to last year, when there were 33 cases throughout the year.

This year’s cases are from different parts of Finland. According to THL, 42 of those infected have had to be hospitalized.

THL is aware of one case where an infected person has died. However, it is possible that the hepatitis infection was not relevant to the death.

THL is currently investigating the connections between the infections, as well as possible sources of infection, such as whether the cases are related to meat sausage products.

Meat sausages have been withdrawn from the market because the hepatitis E virus has been found in the raw materials used for them. On Monday, it was reported that pepperoni has also been withdrawn from sale.

The patients are often middle-aged men

According to THL, those hospitalized typically have some predisposing factor to a serious infection, for example some basic illness. The patients have typically been middle-aged or older and often men.

Severe, chronic and long-lasting infections are very rare, as are deaths related to hepatitis E infections. A life-threatening disease is usually caused by various underlying diseases.

Hepatitis E is a liver infection caused by a virus. It is asymptomatic in the majority of infected people. Symptoms of infection can include fever, stomach flu symptoms and yellowing of the skin and sclera of the eyes. Symptoms appear on average 40 days after becoming infected.

People usually get infected from food. Hepatitis E virus can be spread through human or animal feces into water and food, and is also found in the internal organs of an infected animal. You can also get infected by direct contact with the feces of a person or animal excreting the virus.

THL and the Food Agency are investigating the hepatitis E epidemic in cooperation with the health and environmental health authorities of welfare regions and municipalities.