The Los Angeles County Health Department recommended that customers at a Little Tokyo restaurant get vaccinated against hepatitis A after an employee became infected with the virus.
Scientists discovered the case at the Azay Restaurant at 226 E. First Street. The health department recommended that anyone who ate or drank there between July 26 and July 30 get a hepatitis A vaccination if they are not already immune.
Those who have not received the vaccine or who have already had a hepatitis A infection may not be protected against the virus. For people who have already received it or have been infected with the virus, the vaccination is not necessary.
The health department said time is of the essence, as vaccinations soon after exposure can help reduce the risk of infection.
Visitors to the restaurant can contact their pharmacy or doctor to get vaccinated between these days. The health department has referred Azay employees who are not immune to vaccination.
Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection that can spread before people feel sick. It is transmitted through the stool and blood of infected people or through contaminated food.
It can present as a mild illness lasting a few weeks or a severe illness lasting months. Symptoms include fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dark urine, or yellow eyes/skin. In rare cases, it can lead to death.
The Ministry of Health said that vaccination is the best way to prevent contracting the disease because there is no specific antiviral treatment for hepatitis A. While vaccination is likely to prevent infection, people could still become ill if they do not get vaccinated soon after infection.
Public health officials added that older adults and people with weakened immune systems may need to receive immunoglobulins and the vaccine to prevent infection after exposure.
