First detection of hepatitis E virus in dromedary camels from Iran

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype 7 is a zoonotic disease detected in dromedary camels. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: The consumption of camel meat and dairy products, the abundance of dromedary camels in Southeast Iran and the import of camels from neighbouring countries to Iran made the researchers investigate the infection rate of camels by the virus. ANIMALS: A total of 53 healthy camels in Southeast Iran (Sistan and Baluchistan Province) tested for HEV RNA. METHOD: A total of 17 blood samples and 36 liver samples were taken from 53 healthy dromedary camels (aged between 2 and 10 years) from various southeastern regions of Iran. The samples were tested for HEV using RT‐PCR. RESULTS: Overall, 56.6% of the studied samples (n = 30) tested positive for HEV RNA. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The present study was the first of its kind in Iran and revealed the presence of HEV in the Iranian dromedary camel population, which might play the role of a zoonosis reservoir for its transmission to humans. This discovery raises concerns about food‐borne illnesses that can be transmitted from animals to humans. However, further research is needed to identify the specific genotype of the HEV in Iranian dromedary camel infections and to determine the risk of spread to other animals and humans.