FDA has released a prevention strategy for the control of viruses in berries. This is in response to hepatitis A and norovirus outbreaks linked to fresh and frozen berries in the U.S. and globally. There has not been a virus outbreak in the United States in 35 years that was linked to berries that were domestically produced. The outbreaks have been linked to imported fresh and frozen berries, including an outbreak linked to Made With frozen strawberries. The berries were grown in Baja California. The list of hepatitis A outbreaks linked to berries is long. In 2019, the FDA began sampling frozen berries for hepatitis A and norovirus. This new strategy seems like a logical continuation of that work. Contamination of these berries can occur in several ways, including illnesses in … [Read more...]
Possible Hepatitis A Exposure at Rio Grande in Boulder, CO
There was a possible hepatitis A exposure at the Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant in Boulder, Colorado according to the Boulder County Public Health (BCPH). That facility is located at 1101 Walnut Street in Boulder. The possible exposures took place on December 30, 2024 and January 5, 2025. Health department officials have found that there is no ongoing risk to the public because the restaurant acted quickly to ensure the safety of staff and patrons. But anyone who drank one or more of these beverages on those dates may have been exposed to the virus. Plain fresh squeezed OJ Mimosa with fresh squeezed OJ Michelada with fresh lime juice Mimosarita with fresh squeezed OJ Big Tex margarita with fresh lemon and lime juice Barrel-Aged Big Tex margarita with fresh lemon and … [Read more...]
Hepatitis A Exposure at Buffalo Wild Wings in Monterey Park, CA
A hepatitis A exposure at the Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant in Monterey Park, California may have exposed patrons to the virus, according to the County of Los Angeles Public Health Department. That restaurant is located at 4000 Market Place in Monterey Park. An employee worked there while infectious with th virus. No other cases have been identified at this time. Public health officials are investigating this issue. Public health is recommending that anyone who consumed food or drank beverages at that restaurant between November 13, 2024 and November 22, 204 receive a hepatitis A vaccine. Anyone who ate there before November 15, 2024 may not be eligible to receive the vaccine because it is most effective when given within two weeks of exposure. Talk to your doctor about your … [Read more...]
Milwaukee Hepatitis A Exposure at Beans & Barley Restaurant
A possible Milwaukee hepatitis A exposure at the Beans & Barley restaurant has been announced by the City of Milwaukee Health Department. An employee worked there while infectious. The restaurant is located at 1901 East North Avenue on the city's East Side. The employee was there between October 31 and November 13, 2024. Anyone who ate food or drank beverages there during that time frame may have been exposed to the virus. Hepatitis A is a very contagious virus that is spread through contaminated food and drink, through contact with objects (fomites), and through person to person contact. There is currently no known ongoing risk to patrons who did not consume food outside of that time frame. Anyone who ate there after November 4, 2024 is eligible to get hepatitis A or … [Read more...]
Possible Hepatitis A Exposure at Hana Koa Brewing in Honolulu
There has been a possible hepatitis A exposure at Hana Koa Brewing Company in Honolulu, Hawaii, according to the Hawaii Department of Health. That establishment is located at 962 Kawaiaha‘o Street in Honolulu. Anyone who consumed any food or drink products from that restaurant from August 3 through August 16, 2024 may have been exposed to the virus. Unfortunately, that is longer than the two week window in which hepatitis A vaccines are most effective. If you did eat or drink there during that time frame, contact your doctor to decide the best course of action for you. Hana Koa Brewing Company had no food safety violations that caused this case. The likelihood that patrons will contract this illness is very low, but the public still must be informed. The restaurant and … [Read more...]
Hepatitis A Exposure at Azay Restaurant in Little Tokyo, LA in CA
A hepatitis A exposure at Azay restaurant in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles in California may have exposed patrons to the virus, according to the Los Angeles County of Public Health. That restaurant is located at 226 East First Street in Los Angeles. No additional cases have been identified at this time. The person worked while contagious between July 26 and July 30, 2024. Anyone who ate there July 29 and July 30, 2024 should get a hepatitis A vaccine, which is most effective when given within two weeks of exposure. Contact your doctor with any questions. Local pharmacies usually offer this vaccine. Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver disease that is caused by a virus. It can cause a mild illness, or a severe illness depending on the health of the patient. It is spread through … [Read more...]
Hepatitis A Exposure at Queen Subs in Cortland, New York
A hepatitis A exposure at Queen Subs at 43 Port Watson Street in Cortland, New York may have affected patrons. A worker was diagnosed with hepatitis A, according to the Cortland County Health Department. The risk of contracting the virus is low, but the Health Department is offering hepatitis A vaccinations to those who may have been exposed. The vaccine is effective if given within two weeks of exposure. If you purchased food or drink at Queen Subs after July 4, 2024 there is no currently identified risk. The days of possible exposure are June 28, 2024, July 2, 2024, and July 3, 2024. Tomorrow is the last day to get the vaccine for those who may have been exposed on July 2, 2024, and Wednesday is the last day for those who may have been exposed on July 3, 2024. For anyone who … [Read more...]
Hepatitis A Exposure at Ace Hardware in Rome, New York
A possible hepatitis A exposure at Ace Hardware store in Rome, New York may have exposed people to this very contagious virus, according to the Oneida County Health Department (OCHD). A person who tested positive for the virus conducted a food demonstration at that store on Saturday, June 1, 2024, and Saturday, June 8, 2024. That means that anyone who sampled food at that store on June 8 must get vaccinated against hepatitis A by June 22, 2024, because the vaccine is most effective if given within two weeks of exposure. Unfortunately, those who ate food there on June 1, 2024 are past the window for a hepatitis A vaccine. Contact your doctor to see if a vaccine would work for you. Otherwise, monitor your health for the next 50 days to see if you start developing symptoms of a … [Read more...]
Possible Hepatitis A Exposure at Whole Foods in Beverly Hills
A possible hepatitis A exposure has been reported at the Whole Foods store located at 239 North Crescent Drive in Beverly Hills, California, according to the County of Los Angeles Public Health Department. No additional cases have been identified as of May 17, 2024. An employee allegedly worked at that Whole Foods store while infectious between April 20 and May 13, 2024. Anyone who bought products from the seafood counter section at the store during those dates may have been exposed. Since the hepatitis A vaccine is most effective if given within two weeks of exposure, anyone who bought those products after May 6, 2024 may not be eligible. Talk to your doctor about whether or not you should get the vaccine. Contact your local pharmacy or medical provider for more information. … [Read more...]
Hepatitis A at Main Deck Restaurant in Penn Yan, New York
A hepatitis A positive worker at the Main Deck Restaurant in Penn Yan, New York may have exposed customers to the virus, according to Yates County Public Health. The restaurant is located at 301 Lake Street in Penn Yan. The exposure took place between March 27 and April 12, 2024. Doug Sinclair, Yates County Public Health Director, said in a statement, "While the risk of hepatitis A infection is low, we must act carefully to prevent the spread of this very contagious disease. Anyone who may have eaten at this restaurant during this timeframe should check their immunization status and if not already vaccinated against hepatitis A, come to our free clinic or visit their healthcare provider if they are experiencing symptoms." A free vaccine will be offered at the Yates County Office … [Read more...]
