Hepatitis E in Chad

As of 11 January 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported 385 suspected cases, including two deaths, of hepatitis E in Lai district, Tandjile region, Chad.

In June 2021, Tandjile region experienced heavy rainfall which has had a significant impact on water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure, creating favourable conditions for hepatitis E transmission.

Advice for travellers

Hepatitis E is a common cause of acute viral hepatitis. Travellers at highest risk of infection are those: 

• travelling to regions with poor sanitation and hygiene, such as aid workers and disaster relief volunteers 
• planning to consume local dishes of raw, or undercooked, pork products or shellfish

All travellers should be given advice on: 

• maintaining safe food and water precautions 
• performing effective hand hygiene 
• avoiding consumption of raw, or undercooked, pork and game products, and shellfish

This advice must be emphasised to pregnant and immunosuppressed travellers, including those with solid-organ transplants, while it should be noted there is no vaccine available to protect against hepatitis E in the UK.

Further advice and information on Hepatitis E is available on the TRAVAX (for health professionals) and fitfortravel (for the general public) websites.

Source: TRAVAX, 19 January 2022