Although less-recognized that other forms of viral hepatitis, several studies have suggested that Hepatitis E infection is common in the United States. [1,2]

Seroprevalence surveys:
21.0% of non-institutionalized Americans – with highest rates among US-born individuals, males, non-Hispanic whites, and individuals residing in the Midwest and/or in metropolitan areas (1988 to 1994)
13.6% of destitute and 15% of homeless persons in Los Angeles (2000)
2.1% of blood donors (1992 publication)
29.3% of patients with chronic liver disease (Cincinnati, Ohio, 1995 to 2006)
23% to 26% of veterinarians treating swine, compared to 18% of a control group of blood donors (1999)
10.9% of swine workers in North Carolina (2002 publication)
77% of wild rats in Maryland (1997)
73.5% of Norway rats in Baltimore (2005 to 2006)
90% of Norway rats in Hawaii (1986)
44% of Norway rats in Louisiana (1995)

References:
1. Berger SA. Infectious Diseases of the United States, 996 pp. 2010, Gideon e-books http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/country/infectious-diseases-of-the-united-states/
2. Berger SA. Hepatitis D, E and G: Global Status, 92 pp. 2010, Gideon e-books http://www.gideononline.com/ebooks/disease/hepatitis-d-e-and-g-global-status/

Update: Posted in ProMED

As reported in ProMED:
Notwithstanding the recent episode in Uganda [see: ProMED-mail post Hepatitis E virus - Uganda 20080304.0894], outbreaks of hepatitis E in Sub-Saharan Africa are rarely reported. The following summary was abstracted from GIDEON.

Botswana
1985 – An outbreak (245 cases) in Maun was ascribed to possible water contamination.

Central African Republic
2002 – An outbreak (48 confirmed cases) in Bangui may have been caused by contaminated drinking water.
2004 – An outbreak (10 cases) in Bangui was caused by contaminated water sold by a street vendor.

Chad
2004 – An outbreak (1442 cases, 46 fatal) was reported in Goz Amer and Goz Beida – Sudanese refugee camps.
2005 – An outbreak (50 or more fatal cases) was reported in the area of Goz Beida (eastern Chad).
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