The state Health Department confirmed a new case of hepatitis A on Sunday in a food service worker on Oahu.
The infected person worked at Chart House Waikiki, at 1765 Ala Moana Blvd., between Sept. 1-4 and 8-11. However, the likelihood that patrons of this business will become infected is very low, health officials said.
The latest case brings the total confirmed hepatitis A cases in the outbreak to 271.
“The cause of the outbreak has been identified as frozen scallops that were served uncooked, but the long period of incubation, up to 50 days, means we could see cases of hepatitis A into October,” said state Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Park.
“We will continue to inform the public regarding infected food handlers so that customers who may have been exposed during those service dates can consult their health care provider, especially if exposure was in the past two weeks and the customer might still be able to receive vaccination or immune globulin to prevent infection,” Park said.
Whale carcass prompts shark warnings
Ocean Safety lifeguards posted shark warning signs at a Kailua beach Sunday morning as a precautionary measure after a whale carcass and a live whale were spotted offshore.
Lifeguards were warning beachgoers at Kalama Beach Park, which is adjacent to Kailua Beach Park, about the potential hazard. No sharks had been spotted before the announcement about 9:30 a.m.
The whales were seen about 100 yards offshore. No other details were immediately available.
Man is found unresponsive in Maui waters
A 68-year-old man from Canada was in critical condition Friday after he was pulled unresponsive from waters off Kihei, Maui.
Firefighters said the man fell while windsurfing and became separated from his board off the Veterans of Foreign Wars hall on Uluniu Road. A family member saw him floating face down about 70 yards from shore.
Bystanders brought him to shore and initiated CPR.
The incident was reported at 3:47 p.m.
Police officers continued CPR until firefighters and Emergency Medical Services personnel arrived. The man was transported to Maui Memorial Medical Center.
The man, from Toronto, is a part-time Kihei resident.
Donor rewards brothers who helped nab thief
An anonymous donor has rewarded two brothers who chased down an alleged thief in Hilo.
Kupono, 24, and Hamakua Kon-Kahakai, 18, were at the Hilo Farmers Market on Aug. 30 when they saw a man flee on a bicycle with a jar of money allegedly stolen from a market vendor, the Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported. The brothers gave chase on foot, catching the suspect, 27, near Pauahi Street. They detained him until police arrived and helped return the money to the vendor.
The donor left the cash — $100 for each brother — at the Tribune-Herald on Thursday. The donor requested anonymity but said in an email that “positive efforts such as theirs should be made known and recognized.”
Both brothers said Friday they were surprised to learn about the donation but said they have received positive feedback about their experience.