ABSTRACT
【Objective】 To investigate the situation of hepatitis E virus(HEV) infection among voluntary blood donors in Wuhan area and provide evidences for enhancing blood screening strategies. 【Methods】 HEV nucleic acid detection(NAT) was performed on blood samples from eligible blood donors in Wuhan from November to December 2020. The testing results were analyzed, and the blood donors with repeated reactive results were followed up to clarify the status of infection. 【Results】 Routine screening was performed on 17 409 blood samples from November to December 2020. A total of 17 322 blood samples of eligible blood donors were tested for HEV NAT, and one case of HEV RNA reactivity was detected. The results from the follow-ups showed that the blood donor should be in the window period of HEV seroconversion. The current HEV infection rate of voluntary blood donors in Wuhan arewas 0.058‰(1/17 322), which was lower than other domestic areas. 【Conclusion】 The current HEV infection rate of voluntary blood donors was at a relatively low prevalence level in Wuhan area. Selective blood screening strategies can be taken to further reduce potential risk of blood transfusion infection with hepatitis E virus.