Transmission dynamics of hepatitis E virus in pigs: Estimation from field data and effect of vaccination

► Hepatitis E virus (HEV) in pigs can form a risk for public health. ► HEV transmission parameters were estimated from samples of ten commercial pig farms. ► The within-farm reproduction number is conservatively estimated at 4.3 (2.8-6.9). ► Model analysis shows that vaccination can increase the prevalence at slaughter age. ► Vaccine development for HEV should focus on reducing the infectious periods in pigs.