Hepatitis E virus is an RNA virus and is transmitted enterically (by mouth). Hepatitis E is more characteristic to certain geographical areas and usually evolutes in epidemics. Massive hepatitis E infections usually occur due to fecal contamination of water supply. Hepatitis E occurred in such countries as China, India, Mexico and central Africa, and no outbreaks have been registered in US or Western Europe.
Hepatitis E virus, similar to hepatitis A virus, does not produce chronic hepatitis.