Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a zoonotic virus which circulates in pigs and wild 
boars as main reservoir species. To reveal the infection rate in carnivores, we 
have carried out a monitoring study of raccoons, raccoon dogs, dogs and cats 
sampled in Brandenburg, Germany. In summary, 53.8% (43 of 80) of the raccoons, 
34.3% (25 of 73) of the raccoon dogs, 56.6% (47 of 83) of dogs and 32.3% (21 of 
65) of cats were tested positive for HEV-specific antibodies. No viral RNA could 
be detected. This first description of anti-HEV antibodies in raccoons and 
raccoon dogs worldwide and in dogs and cats in Germany highlights the natural 
host range expansion of HEV.