UK acquired hepatitis E-An emerging problem?

Eight cases of hepatitis E acquired in the UK are reported. These cases presented to an inner city hospital in Birmingham, UK, over a 5‐month period in 2005. HEV is considered unusual in the UK and generally occurs after travel to endemic regions. Only five cases of hepatitis E acquired in the UK have been reported in the literature. This series represents an increase in the local incidence of hepatitis E, particularly that of UK‐acquired infection. HEV should be considered in all patients with acute hepatitis, irrespective of travel history. J. Med. Virol. 78:473–475, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.