According to news reports, hundreds of customers at The New Yorker Restaurant at 60 West Market Street in Salt Lake City, Utah may have been exposed to hepatitis A. An ill worker “potentially handled certain food or beverage items,” from July 25 through August 15, 2018 at the restaurant. About 650 people may be at risk for this illness.
Unfortunately, that time frame is outside the two week window where a hepatitis A or immune globulin vaccination is effective. August 15, 2018 was almost four weeks ago. The vaccine only works when given within fourteen days of exposure.
All patrons of that restaurant can do now is monitor themselves for the symptoms of hepatitis A. Those symptoms include jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin), vomiting, loss of appetite, weight loss, pain in the upper right quadrant of the body, vomiting, dark urine, and clay colored stools. That group should watch for symptoms until early October, since it can take up to 50 days for symptoms to appear. If you visited The New Yorker Restaurant during that time frame and have been ill with these symptoms, see your doctor.
The hepatitis A virus is very contagious. It is spread through contaminated food and beverages, through person-to-person contact, and through contact with contaminated surfaces, such as door knobs and faucet handles. This incident is related to an ongoing outbreak of hepatitis A in Utah and around the country that has been ongoing through the summer.
The restaurant is cooperating with officials and has sanitized the restaurant according to public health official recommendations. There is no word on whether or not the restaurant closed for cleaning.
The best way to prevent the spread of this disease is to thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water after using the bathroom and after taking care of someone who has a diarrheal illness. The virus spreads through feces. In addition, stay home from work or school if you have a diarrheal illness.
No additional hepatitis A cases have been reported to the county that could be traced to the restaurant. If you have questions about this issue, call the Salt Lake County Health Department at 385-468-4636.
