The Hawaii Department of Health released a new update on August 31, 2016, stating that the number of confirmed cases of hepatitis A in the outbreak linked to imported scallops has reached 241. That means 13 new cases have been identified in the last week. All of the cases have been in adults. Sixty-four people have required hospitalization because their illnesses are so serious. Ten people are the residents of the islands of Hawaii, Kauai, or Maui. Four of those sickened have returned to the mainland, and the rest live on Oahu. The illness onset dates range from 6/12/16 to 8/25/16. The Hawaii Department of Health is also no longer conducting the case control study because the outbreak source was found in mid-August. Frozen scallops imported from the Philippines and served at … [Read more...]
FDA, CDC Join Hepatitis A Outbreak Investigation Linked to Sea Scallops
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have joined the investigation into a Hepatitis A outbreak in Hawaii that has sickened 206 people. Along with the Hawaii Department of Health, the agencies have conducted epidemiological, laboratory and traceback investigations that have identified sea scallops supplied by Sea Port Products Corp. as the source of the outbreak. On August 18, 2016, the company issued a recall for three lots of frozen bay scallops, produced on November 23, 2015 and 24, 2015, with lot numbers 5885, 5886, and 5887. The recalled scallops were distributed to restaurants and retailers in California, Hawaii, and Nevada. Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that is spread from person to person and through … [Read more...]
Hawaii Blocks Sale of Scallops Linked to Hepatitis A Outbreak
Hawaiian health officials have blocked the sale of imported sea scallops linked to an outbreak that has sickened more than 200 people. The Hawaii Department of Health identified raw scallops from Sea Port Bay Scallops (Wild Harvest, Raw Frozen) that originated in the Philippines as the source of an outbreak. The scallops, served at Genki Sushi restaurants on Oahu and Kauai and distributed by Koha Oriental Foods and True World Foods, can no longer be sold in the state. Hepatitis A has a long incubation period. Sometimes people who are infected show no symptoms. This has made tracking the origin of the outbreak difficult for health officials. Symptoms of an infection include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, abdominal discomfort, dark urine, diarrhea, and yellow skin and eyes. These … [Read more...]
Oahu Hepatitis A Outbreak Expands, 74 Now Sick
A Hepatitis A outbreak on Oahu has expanded to include 74 people, according to the Hawaii Department of Health. Twenty six people have been hospitalized. Onset of illness dates range from June 12 to July 14. All but two of those sickened, who live on the islands of Hawaii and Maui, live on Oahu. But all were on Oahu when thy were exposed to the virus. Two food workers are among those sickened. One of them worked at Baskin-Robbins in Waikele Center on June 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 25, 27, 30, and July 1 and 3, 2016;the other at Taco Bell Waipio, 94-790 Ukee Street, on June 16, 17, 20, 21, 24, 25, 28, 29, 30, and July 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 11, 2016. Health officials are interviewing those sickened to determined where they were exposed. Hepatitis A has a long incubation period, which poses … [Read more...]
Hawaii Hepatitis Outbreak Grows to Include 52 Sick
The Hawaii Department of Health has released more information about the Hepatitis A outbreak in Waipahu. Now 52 people are sick with this viral infection. A food service employee at the Baskin-Robbins store in the Waikele Center in Waipahu has been diagnosed with the illness. The department is telling anyone who consumed any food or drink products at that Baskin Robbins location between June 17 and July 3, 2016 that they may have been exposed to the virus. The actual dates that employee worked are June 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 25, 27, and 30, 2016. Anyone who has not had hepatitis A or who has not been vaccinated should contact their healthcare providers about getting the shot. The shot only will protect you if given within two weeks of the date of exposure. That means anyone who ate … [Read more...]
Hepatitis A Outbreak on Oahu Sickens 12
A Hepatitis A outbreak on Oahu has sickened 12 people, hospitalizing six of them, according to the Hawaii State Department of Health. Onset of illness dates have ranged from June 16 through June 27, 2016. Hepatitis A is a virus that is usually transmitted through contact with an infected person's stool. It can be prevented with a vaccine. Symptoms of an infection include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, abdominal discomfort, dark urine, diarrhea, and yellow skin and eyes. These symptoms last between three to eight weeks. Sometimes people who are infected show no symptoms. Although most chcildren have been vaccinated, most adulst have not, said State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Park. “Healthcare providers have been informed and asked to notify us immediately if they have a patient they … [Read more...]
