The San Diego Department of Public Health is advising consumers that if they ate at the World Famous restaurant at 711 Pacific Beach Drive in San Diego, California on seven specific dates, at specific times, they may have been exposed to hepatitis A.
San Diego is battling a huge hepatitis A outbreak. In fact, a public health emergency was declared in San Diego County the first week of September, 2017. Most people sickened are the homeless, but there have been illnesses among people who aren’t in that category. Officials say it’s too early to tell if this case is linked to that current outbreak.
The dates and times of possible exposure are: August 28, 29, and 30, 2017 between 3:00 p and 11:00 pm; September 3 and 4, 2017 between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm; and September 10 and 11 from 3:00 pm to 11:00 pm. There is no known risk of hepatitis A exposure at the restaurant now or on other dates. The source of the exposure hasn’t been identified.
If you ate at the restaurant before September 5, 2017, it’s too late for a vaccination. You should monitor yourself for the symptoms of this illness. If you do get sick, see your doctor.
Dr. Wilma Wooten, San Diego County public health officer said, “The risk to the public is low, but anyone who ate or had beverages at the restaurant on those dates and times should be aware of the signs and symptoms of hepatitis A. We encourage anyone who has not had the hepatitis A vaccine and those who may have been exposed to contact their health care provider.”
Pharmacies can provide the shot, and anyone who isn’t insured can go to any County public health center. Vaccinations will be given at no cost.
Someone who is infected with this virus is contagious before they develop symptoms. The symptoms of hepatitis A include a fever, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, light clay colored stools, dark urine, pain in the upper right abdomen, and jaundice (yellow eye and skin color).
Some people can be sick for months, while others are usually only sick for a few weeks. Some people may not develop any symptoms at all. Even mildly ill persons are highly infectious.
