We tested liver samples from 372 Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) from southern Ontario, Canada, during 2018-2021 to investigate presence of hepatitis E virus infection. Overall, 21 (5.6%) rats tested positive for the virus. Sequence analysis demonstrated all infections to be rat hepatitis E virus (Rocahepevirus ratti genotype C1).
Keywords: Canada; Norway rats; Rattus norvegicus; Rocahepevirus ratti; hepatitis E virus; public health; rats; zoonoses.