Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is a significant public health problem in recent times. The seroprevalence rates differ greatly according to geographic region and population group. The aim of this study was to analyze the seroprevalence of HEV in exposed (animal-related professions) and non-exposed populations and to analyze the environmental risk factors for HEV. The study included forestry workers (N=93), hunters (N=74) and veterinarians (N=151) who represented the exposed population. General population (N=135) and pregnant women (N=120) constituted the control group. HEV IgG antibodies were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and confirmed by immunoblot test. The HEV seroprevalence differed significantly between groups: veterinarians 15.2%, hunters 14.9%, forestry workers 6.5%, general population 7.1%, pregnant women 1.7%. A significant increase in the seropositivity with age was observed from 2.9% in individuals less than 30 years to 23.5% in those older than 60 years. Sociodemographic characteristics (gender, educational level, area of residents, number of household members), eating habits (game meat, offal, pork products consumption), environmental and housing conditions (drinking water supply, type of water drainage/sewer, waste disposal, domestic animals) were not associated with the HEV seropositivity. However, individuals who reported a pet ownership were more often seropositive compared who did not have pet animals (12.5% vs 7.0%).