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Hawaii hepatitis A cases reach 276

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  • DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

    The Department of Health on Aug. 18 showed a box of the Sea Port Bay Scallops that tested positive for the hepatitis A virus.

The Department of Health announced today that the number of people who have contracted hepatitis A rose to 276 over the last week, with five new cases reported since last Wednesday.

Dr. Sarah Park, state epidemiologist, has warned that cases are expected to continue cropping up into October because of the long incubation period of the disease. The virus produces symptoms from two weeks to 50 days after exposure.

The outbreak has been traced to frozen scallops that were served raw at Genki Sushi. The scallops were pulled from the market last month and are no longer being imported from the Philippines. Most cases involve people who ate at a Genki outlet. Several cases have been reported among household members of people who contracted the disease, according to the Health Department.

So far, 17 food-service workers have come down with the liver virus, including two flight attendants and two school cafeteria employees. No Genki Sushi workers tested positive for hepatitis A.

The contagious liver disease is spread through contaminated food or drink, or close physical contact with an infected person. Vaccination is the best protection against the disease. Vigorous hand-washing can help prevent its spread.

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