A case of hepatitis A in an employee at Hana Koa Brewing Company in Honolulu has been confirmed by the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH). The affected employee worked at the brewery between August 3 and 16, 2024.
Customers who consumed food or drinks from Hana Koa Brewing Company during this period may have been exposed to hepatitis A. The DOH is advising individuals who have not been vaccinated against the disease to contact their healthcare providers if they develop symptoms, and to mention their potential exposure.
The DOH said that Hana Koa Brewing Company did not commit any food safety violations leading to this case. The business is cooperating with health authorities to exclude ill and exposed food handlers, and there is no ongoing risk of disease transmission associated with this incident.
Vaccination is unnecessary for individuals who have previously completed the hepatitis A vaccine series or have a known past infection. The health department said that prompt vaccination following potential exposure could reduce the risk of developing hepatitis A infection.
Hepatitis A is a viral infection caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV) and results in severe liver disease and sickness. Inflammation not only damages the liver but also prevents other organs from working properly.
Unlike other diseases and illnesses, hepatitis A cannot be passed by casual, person to person transmission. Meaning, touching, sitting next to, or being coughed on by an infected person will not lead to an infection. Hepatitis A is instead spread as the result of contact with an infected person’s stool, which can happen in a number of ways:
- Consuming food prepared by an infected person that didn’t wash their hands after using the bathroom
- Drinking untreated water
- Placing something that has been in contact with an infected person’s stool in one’s mouth
Vaccination is the most effective way to avoid hepatitis A, even after exposure, and is recommended for everyone ages one and older, and those traveling outside of the United States.
While the risk of infection for customers of Hana Koa Brewing Co. is limited, the Department of Health’s Disease Outbreak Control Division is informing the public to help prevent further cases. Individuals are encouraged to consult their healthcare providers for guidance and support.
Commenting on this story, one national hepatitis A lawyer said, “Although hepatitis A usually clears up without treatment in a few weeks, it can last for up to six months in some individuals. Any consumer who believes they have been exposed to hepatitis A should seek medical care as soon as possible.”
Recent Outbreaks of Hepatitis A in the United States
Here are three recent hepatitis A outbreaks in the United States investigated by the FDA and CDC, focusing on food-related transmission:
- Frozen Organic Strawberries Outbreak (2023): In 2023, a hepatitis A outbreak was linked to frozen organic strawberries imported from Baja California, Mexico. This outbreak resulted in 10 cases across four states (California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington), with four hospitalizations. The FDA and CDC traced the contamination back to a specific farm in Mexico, which had also been linked to a similar outbreak in 2022. The outbreak concluded in September 2023, following a thorough investigation and product recalls(Washington State Department of Health,FDA.gov).
- Frozen Berry Products Recall (2023): Another significant outbreak in 2023 involved hepatitis A contamination in various frozen berry products sold nationwide. The FDA and CDC launched an investigation, which revealed that frozen organic strawberries were the source of the virus. This led to widespread recalls of affected products, including frozen fruit blends. The outbreak underscored the risks associated with imported produce and the importance of food safety measures(FDA.gov).
- Restaurant Exposure in Montgomery, Alabama (2023): In early 2023, a hepatitis A exposure occurred at a restaurant in Montgomery, Alabama, after an employee tested positive for the virus. The Alabama Department of Public Health, in coordination with the CDC, investigated the exposure. Patrons who dined at the restaurant during the period of potential exposure were advised to seek post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to prevent infection. No outbreak resulted from this incident due to the swift response and public health measures implemented(FDA.gov).
According to Tony Coveny, a national Hepatitis A lawyer “these examples highlight the critical role of public health agencies in identifying and managing food-related hepatitis A risks to protect public health.”
Who is Most at Risk of Contracting the Hepatitis A Virus?
Hepatitis A is a viral liver infection that is typically transmitted through ingestion of contaminated food or water. Certain demographics and groups are more likely to acquire Hepatitis A:
- Travelers to Countries with High or Intermediate Endemicity: People traveling to or living in regions with poor sanitation or limited access to clean water, especially in parts of Africa, Asia, Central and South America, and Eastern Europe, are at higher risk.
- Children in Areas with Poor Sanitation: In areas where sanitation is inadequate, children are often exposed to the virus through contaminated food, water, or close contact with others who are infected. In such settings, children often acquire the infection at a young age.
- People Who Use Drugs: Individuals who use recreational drugs, particularly those who inject drugs, are at an increased risk due to potential exposure through contaminated needles or poor hygiene.
- Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM): The virus can be transmitted through oral-anal contact or other sexual practices that involve contact with fecal matter, making this group more susceptible.
- Close Contacts of an Infected Person: Family members or people living in close quarters with someone who has hepatitis A are at higher risk, especially if proper hygiene practices are not followed.
- Food Handlers: Workers in the food industry can be at higher risk, especially if they handle food with contaminated hands, leading to possible outbreaks.
- People with Chronic Liver Disease: While they are not more likely to contract the virus, they are at higher risk for severe complications if they do become infected.
Vaccination and proper hygiene practices are key preventive measures to reduce the risk of contracting hepatitis A.
