Forty-five cases of viral hepatitis-E infection have been reported so far this year, compared with 25 in the same period last year, the Centre for Health Protection says.

The centre today said the recent cases involve patients aged 16 to 84. So far the food histories provided by the patients have not shown a single common source outbreak related to any particular food premises.

Hepatitis-E is acquired by ingestion of contaminated food or water and is preventable by observing good personal and food hygiene. The incubation period ranges from 15 to 64 days before the onset of symptoms.

There were 64 hepatitis-E reports last year, with 34 in 2006 and 33 in 2005. For more details click here.