An experimental model of hepatitis E was established in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). First-passage animals were inoculated with two different stool suspensions obtained from human patients with hepatitis E which originated from Xinjiang and Senyan, respectively. Three of four monkeys were infected,27~34 nm diameter virus-like particles were found in feces of infected animals by immune electron microscopy(IEM). Liver biopsy of the three monkeys showed histopathologic changes of acute-phase hepatitis E. Second-passage animals were inoculated with HEV in both stool and liver suspension from a first-passage monkey ( M-16), including one animal inoculated with liver suspension. Four of five animals were infected. The third-passage animal was infected with the secondpassage monkey both stool suspension and bile. Five of seven animals were infected.