Hepatitis E in Chad

19 Jan 2022

As of 11 January 2022, the World Health Organisation has reported 385 suspected cases (including 2 deaths) of hepatitis E in Lai district, Tandjile region, Chad.

In June 2021, Tandjile region experienced heavy rainfall which has significantly impacted the quality of drinking water, sanitation and hygiene.

Hepatitis E is an infection that can affect your liver. It is spread mainly through consuming food and water that has become contaminated with hepatitis E virus but can also be spread by eating pork or shellfish which is raw or undercooked. 

Most people with hepatitis E infection experience mild or no symptoms and get better without treatment, however

• pregnant women and those with long term liver problems can become very ill from hepatitis E infection
• people with conditions affecting their immune system can develop long term infection with hepatitis E which may cause damage to the liver

Advice to travellers

When you are travelling abroad, make sure you:

• follow safe food and water precautions to help protect you from food and water that has become contaminated with hepatitis E virus
• try to avoid eating pork or shellfish which is raw or undercooked
• wash your hands regularly using soap and clean water, particularly before eating and drinking and after using the toilet

There is no vaccine in the UK to protect against hepatitis E.