Rat hepatitis E virus: Geographical clustering within Germany and serological detection in wild Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus)

► Detection of ratHEV-specific RNA and antibodies in Norway rats from four cities in Germany. ► Genome analysis of novel ratHEV strains indicates a geographical clustering of sequences. ► Continuing existence of ratHEV in the rat populations. ► High amount of Norway rats showing exclusively ratHEV RNA or anti-ratHEV antibodies. ► Antigenic differences between recombinant capsid protein derivatives of ratHEV and genotype 3.