Hepatitis E virus defies alcohol-based hand disinfectants

Joint press release by TWINCORE, Hannover Medical School and Ruhr University Bochum

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) can cause serious liver inflammation and is the most common cause of acute virus-mediated hepatitis worldwide. Infection can be prevented through appropriate hygiene measures. Scientists from TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, the Hannover Medical School (MHH) and the Ruhr University Bochum (RUB), together with partners from industry and supported by the German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), have investigated the effectiveness of various common hand disinfectants against HEV.