An outbreak of Hepatitis A on Oahu has sickened at least 52 people as of Sunday, including two foodservice workers. The state of events prompted calls from state health officials “to be vigilant about the symptoms of the disease.”
Source Remains Unidentified Despite Ill Foodservice Workers
State health department officials stress that attempts to identify the source continue. In addition, officials state that multiple sources could be causing the illnesses. As a result, the officials consider everything from wholesale products to eateries as potential sources.
Officials state the fact that no common food or establishment links the patients leads to the difficult nature of the outbreak investigation.
Hawaii typically reports less than 20 Hepatitis A cases per year. 2008, which saw 20 confirmed cases, constitutes only year in the past decade that officials reported 20 cases.
Food Service Workers at Baskin Robbins, Taco Bell Among Ill
An employee at the Taco Bell on Ukee Street in Waipio and a worker at the Waikele Baskin Robbins both recently fell ill with Hepatitis A.
However, health officials emphasize neither the Taco Bell or Baskin Robbins have been identified as the outbreak source. Instead, they made the identify of the businesses public because sick people pass on the disease easily. In addition, symptoms of Hepatitis A often take two or more weeks to show.
Officials urge two groups to speak to their doctor: first, Waipio Taco Bell diners who ate there from June 16th-July 11th, and second, people who drank or ate anything at the Waikele Baskin Robbins from June 17th-July 3rd.
Hepatitis A Symptoms and Treatment
Not all people with the disease have symptoms. However, if symptoms do occur, they typically show up 2-6 weeks after infection. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal pain, dark urine, grey-colored stools, joint pain and jaundice (yellow-hued appearance).
Children exhibit symptoms less frequently than adults. Furthermore, symptoms usually last less than two months. In some cases, the symptoms may present for six months or more.
