Data from: Epidemiology of Hepatitis E Virus in China: results from the Third National Viral Hepatitis Prevalence Survey, 2005-2006

In China, hepatitis E virus (HEV) is prevalent and causes disease, but its
epidemiological profile is not well understood. We used a commercial
enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect total antibodies to hepatitis
E virus in 15,862 serum samples collected during the Third National Viral
Hepatitis Prevalence Survey. The results were analyzed to calculate
estimates of HEV seroprevalence and to examine the effects of some
putative risk factors. The seroprevalence of HEV in the general Chinese
population during the period from 2005 through 2006 was 23.46% (95%
confidence interval [CI], 18.41%–28.50%). The farming population, the age
group of 15–60 year olds, and those living in the Midwest or Mideast
region and in Xinjiang province had the highest seroprevalence estimates.
The prevalence of HEV is high in China. The seroprevalence rate of HEV
shows an unbalanced distribution among areas with different geographic
location and economic development levels. The characteristics of the
distribution associated may be due to the route of HEV transmission (via
contaminated water or animal reservoirs). Within the same region, the
seroprevalence of HEV is generally increased with age.