The research project proposed here, aims at assessing the occurrence and genetic diversity of Hepatitis E viruses (HEV) in Switzerland in order to gain knowledge on ways and sources of infection using molecular epidemiology.
In particular, we propose to:
(i) Screen liver and faeces samples from reservoir hosts (pig and wild boar) as well as meat products by RT-PCR to obtain positive material.
(ii) Determine virus diversity by full length sequencing to optimise HEV diagnostics and to establish a national HEV database that allows molecular epidemiology and tracing of infections.
This project joins experts for food safety, pig infectious diseases and virology to support strategies for the avoidance of food-borne HEV infections in humans.
This project joins experts for food safety, pig infectious diseases and virology to support interventions strategies inhibiting HEV transmission along the food chain from animals to humans.
