Downtown LA restaurant worker develops hepatitis infection

A downtown Los Angeles restaurant worker’s hepatitis A infection was under investigation Thursday, health officials announced.

The individual works at Azay, 226 E. First St. in Little Tokyo, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

No additional hepatitis A cases have been identified, and the investigation is ongoing, officials said.

“Based on the employee’s job duties and symptoms while at work, Public Health is recommending that patrons who consumed food or beverages from Azay Little Tokyo between July 26 and July 30 receive hepatitis A vaccine if they are not already immune,” the county health agency advised in a statement.

People who have not received the hepatitis A vaccine or had a previous hepatitis A infection risk contracting the virus and getting vaccinated as soon as possible after virus exposure could help reduce the risk of an infection, officials said. Vaccination is not necessary for people who have completed the vaccine series or have had an infection in the past.

Vaccines are available at local pharmacies or from medical providers, and health officials said they are working with the restaurant to ensure employees who are not immune are referred for vaccination.

Hepatitis A is a highly contagious, viral liver infection that can range from a mild illness of a few weeks to a serious illness that lasts multiple months, according to Public Health. While infections are rare, hepatitis A can cause death in some people.

“Hepatitis A usually spreads when a person unknowingly ingests the virus from objects, food, or drinks contaminated by small, undetected amounts of stool from an infected person,” according to the Public Health statement.

There is no specific antiviral treatment for hepatitis A. While prompt vaccination is likely to prevent infection, infection may occur in those who receive vaccination too late.

Restaurant patrons who develop symptoms should contact their medical providers and ask for a test to detect the virus. County health officials said they “will continue monitoring all known individuals who may have been exposed to individuals ill with hepatitis A.”

For questions or to locate a clinic or doctor, call the Public Health InfoLine at 833-540-0473, open daily 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

For more information, visit: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/acd/diseases/hepa.htm.