Mapunapuna restaurant worker possibly infected with hepatitis A, health officials say

State Department of Health officials said this morning they are investigating a possible case of hepatitis A in a Mapunapuna restaurant employee.

They said that during the potential infectious period from Dec. 1 to Jan. 6, the person worked as a food service employee at Wah Kung Restaurant, at 1151 Mapunapuna St. “At this time, no infections have been linked to exposure at this business. DOH is providing this information to prevent possible new cases,” officials said in a news release.

“Given the clinical and laboratory findings, we suspect this individual may be infected with hepatitis A,” said state epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Park. “Because of the limited two-week window to prevent infection among those potentially exposed, we are alerting the public as a precaution. We encourage people to take appropriate action to protect their health and prevent possible new cases in our community.”

This case is unrelated to the earlier cases identified by the department on Jan. 5, officials said.

The department advises anyone who consumed food or beverages at Wah Kung Restaurant from Dec. 1, 2017 to Jan. 6 to “contact their healthcare providers about the possibility of receiving hepatitis A vaccine or immune globulin, which may provide some protection against the disease if administered within two weeks after exposure.”

They should also monitor their health for symptoms of hepatitis A infection up to 50 days after exposure; wash their hands with soap and warm water frequently and thoroughly, especially after using the bathroom and before preparing food; and stay at home and contact their healthcare provider immediately if symptoms of hepatitis A infection develop, health officials said.

According to the Health Department, the virus is found in the stool of people with hepatitis A infection and is usually spread through close personal or sexual contact as well as by consuming contaminated food or drinking water. Symptoms of hepatitis A infection include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, abdominal discomfort, dark urine, diarrhea, and yellow skin and eyes.

For more information about hepatitis: http://health.hawaii.gov/docd/disease_listing/hepatitis-a/.