Hepatitis A cases hit 241 as officials hope outbreak eases

The number of hepatitis A cases in Hawaii has increased nearly 6 percent to 241 with 13 new cases over the past week, according to state health officials.

The flare-up of illnesses has ranged between June 12 and Aug. 25.

The outbreak appears to have passed its peak, with the pace of infection slowing since the source was identified this month as tainted scallops and they were pulled from the market.

Last week’s total of 228 cases was nearly an 11 percent increase over the previous week.

All cases are adults, and 64 people have been hospitalized so far as a result of the infectious liver disease.

“We hope to see the number of cases start to taper, hopefully in the next month or so,” said Dr. Sarah Park, state epidemiologist.

There’s still a potential for new cases due to the long incubation period, which extends up to 50 days after exposure. Just because the source has been traced doesn’t mean the outbreak is over, she added. “Unfortunately it’s not over just yet.”

Health officials traced the outbreak to contaminated frozen scallops imported from the Philippines. The scallops were served raw at Genki Sushi restaurants on Oahu and Kauai.

The Health Department shut down the restaurants on Aug. 15 and the scallops were recalled by their importer, Sea Port Products Corp. of Kirkland, Wash., shortly afterward.

The cafeteria at Kipapa Elementary School reopened Monday after it was shut down last week because a cafeteria worker tested positive for hepatitis A. Other cafeteria workers at the school tested negative.

Meals for Kipapa were prepared at Mililani High School as the cafeteria was cleaned by a contractor and inspected before reopening.

“We really went overboard according to the Department of Health in what we felt (had) to be done in taking measures to ensure that our kitchen was clean,” said Donalyn Dela Cruz, spokeswoman for the Department of Education. “However, we wanted to take the right precautionary measures.”

In response to a barrage of requests for the hepatitis A vaccine, Straub Medical Center opened six walk-in clinics throughout Oahu, said Kristen Bonilla, spokeswoman for Hawaii Pacific Health.

The clinics have administered more than 1,000 vaccinations since Aug. 24.

Hepatitis A is usually spread when a person ingests even microscopic amounts of human fecal matter through food, drink or other objects. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea, pale skin, dark-colored urine and jaundice.

As health officials remain vigilant and continue to monitor people who were exposed to the contaminated scallops, Park advises individuals to consult with their doctor to consider getting vaccinated.

She also reminds the public to practice thorough hand-washing.

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Star-Advertiser reporter Susan Essoyan contributed to this report.