[(Title)]World’s first human case of rat disease found in Hong Kong

A Hong Kong man has developed the world’s first ever human case of the rat version of the hepatitis E virus, according to new research from one of the city’s leading universities.

根据香港一所著名大学的最新研究，一名香港男子已经确认成为世界上第一例鼠传人戊型肝炎病毒患者。

There had previously been no evidence the disease could jump from rats to humans, the University of Hong Kong said Friday, warning the discovery had “major public health significance”.

香港大学周五表示，此前没有证据表明这种疾病会从老鼠传染给人类，并警告说这一发现“对公众健康具有重大意义”。

“This study conclusively proves for the first time in the world that rat HEV can infect humans to cause clinical infection,” the university added.

该大学补充道：“这项研究在世界上第一次决定性地证明了大鼠HEV可以传染给人类，导致临床感染。”

Rat hepatitis E virus is very distantly related to human hepatitis E virus variants, HKU said.

港大表示，大鼠戊型肝炎病毒与人类戊型肝炎病毒变种非常不同。

The disease was found in a 56-year-old man who persistently produced abnormal liver function tests following a liver transplant.

这种疾病是在一名56岁的男子身上发现的，他在肝移植后持续进行肝功能异常检查。

He could have contracted the illness through food infected by rat droppings, researchers said, according to details of the findings reported in the South China Morning Post.

研究人员说，根据《南华早报》的详细报道，他可能是通过被老鼠粪便感染的食物感染了这种疾病。

The man lived in a housing estate where there were signs of rat infestation outside his home.

这名男子居住的住宅区有老鼠出没的迹象。

He is now recovering after being treated for the virus, the SCMP added.

《南华早报》补充道，他在接受病毒治疗后康复。

The human version of hepatitis E is a liver disease that affects 20 million people globally each year, according to the World Health Organisation.

根据世界卫生组织的数据，人类型戊型肝炎是一种肝病，每年影响全球2000万人。

It is usually spread through contaminated drinking water.

通常通过被污染的饮用水传播。

Symptoms include fever, vomiting and jaundice, and in rare cases liver failure.

症状包括发烧、呕吐和黄疸，在罕见的情况下还会出现肝衰竭。

Rodent problems in Hong Kong have escalated in recent months because of a sustained spell of hot and humid weather.

由于持续的湿热天气，香港的啮齿动物问题在最近几个月已经有所加剧。

Hong Kong has been hit hard by disease outbreaks in the past.

过去，香港曾受到疾病爆发的沉重打击。

In 2003, almost 300 people died from SARS – severe acute respiratory syndrome.

2003年，有将近300人死于SARS——严重急性呼吸道综合征。

The bubonic plague, carried by rats, swept through mainland China and Hong Kong in the late 19th century killing thousands.

19世纪末，老鼠携带的鼠疫席卷了中国大陆和香港，杀死了数千人。