Image by Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is investigating a potential hepatitis A exposure at Azay restaurant in Little Tokyo. The department issued a public health alert on August 8, 2024, warning patrons of their potential exposure and urges them to get vaccinated if they are not already protected.
Here is what we know about the hepatitis A exposure at Azay restaurant.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health was notified of a hepatitis A virus infection in a restaurant worker employed at Azay Restaurant, located in Little Tokyo. This employee worked at the restaurant during the infectious period of the viral infection and may have exposed patrons eating or drinking at the restaurant.
Azay Restaurant is a casual dining restaurant, located at 226 E. First, St. Los Angeles, California, in Little Tokyo. Breakfast and lunch options are served with a menu from Japan or France out of a small open kitchen.
Many patrons may have ordered food to-go. Whether you dined in or ordered take-away, anyone consuming food from the restaurant between July 26 and July 30 may be at risk of viral infection.
Azay Restaurant (in Little Tokyo)
226 E. First St., Los Angeles, CA 90012
Exposure Dates: July 26 through July 30, 2024
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is concerned for potential hepatitis A exposure “based on the employee’s job duties and symptoms while at work.
Public Health is recommending that any patrons consuming food or beverages from Azay Restaurant during the potential exposure period (July 26 through July 30) should receive a hepatitis A vaccine if they are not already immune.
Patrons are urged to receive a hepatitis A vaccine following potential exposure
According to the Department, those who have already completed the entire hepatitis A vaccine series or are known to have a past infection do not need to be vaccinated (or re-vaccinated).
Receiving this vaccination as soon as possible could help reduce the risk of developing hepatitis A infection.
“Residents should contact their local pharmacy or medical provider for the vaccine.”
The Department has not received additional cases of hepatitis A so far.
As with most foodborne illnesses, feces (poop) is the contamination vehicle.
An infected food handler may contaminate food and surfaces all around the kitchen if come to work shedding the virus. Contamination can take place at any point during preparation, serving, or point of sale at a food establishment.
In fact, according to a United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) paper, “The source of most reported foodborne hepatitis A outbreaks has been HAV [hepatitis A virus]-infected food handlers present at the point of sale (such as in a restaurant) or who prepare food for social events (such as a wedding).”
Hundreds of restaurant workers have hepatitis A every year. Most, fortunately, do not transmit the virus to consumers or restaurant patrons.
Proper handwashing practices and safe food handling reduce the risk of exposure. However, an infected food worker should never be working while actively shedding the virus.
You may be imagining a restaurant worker walking out of the employee bathroom with an obvious smear of “chocolate pudding” on their hands.
Disgusting. But descriptive.
It only takes a microscopic amount of contaminated “matter” to transmit hepatitis A infection
Sadly, this is not the case. It only takes a microscopic amount of contaminated “mater” to transmit hepatitis A infection. This amount is so small that it cannot be observed with the naked eye. You would have no idea if the food you consumed was contaminated.
Not everyone infected with the hepatitis A virus will be symptomatic. In some cases, children do not experience symptoms at all. Despite having no symptoms, the infected individual may still be infectious while shedding the virus.
Common symptoms include:
Symptoms often begin around two to seven weeks after exposure. Most of the time, people feel better in less than two months, however some may remain sick for as long as six months.
If you consumed food and are at risk of hepatitis A exposure at Azay Restaurant in Little Tokyo, there are a few things you can do to minimize risk and/or help yourself and your community.
If you purchased food at Azay Restaurant between July 26 and July 30, 2024, and have leftovers, discard it immediately.
Hepatitis A is a unique virus, in that vaccination within 14 days of exposure offers a prophylaxis effect and can help prevent you from becoming infected post exposure. Hepatitis A is the only commonly vaccinated foodborne illness.
This vaccine is a two-dose series. However, an individual receives about 94% effectiveness after just one dose. The second dose, administered six months later, increases this effectiveness to nearly 100% and lasts for 20 years.
If you have been impacted by this hepatitis A exposure at Azay Restaurant during the potential exposure period, and it has been less than 14 days since eating or drinking food from the restaurant, getting a hepatitis A vaccination can help reduce your risk of infection.
If it has been more than 14 days since consuming food or drink from the restaurant and you have not been previously vaccinated, you may still get the vaccine at any time to protect yourself against future exposures.
Some individuals may benefit from receiving hepatitis A immune globulin (IG) in addition to a hepatitis A vaccine. This is something your healthcare provider should advise you on.
Patrons consuming food or drink during the hepatitis A exposure at Azay restaurant potential exposure period should monitor themselves for hepatitis A symptoms for up to 50 days following exposure.
If you were potentially exposed to hepatitis A as a result of this possible hepatitis A exposure at Azay Restaurant in Little Tokyo, it is a good idea to seek advice from an experienced hepatitis A exposure attorney.
The experienced hepatitis A lawyers at The Lange Law Firm, PLLC can help you navigate the complicated legal process. They have helped many families with cases just like yours.
Call (833) 330-3663 for a free consultation or click the online submission form to go over the details of you situation to determine if you have a legal case. Don’t wait. Call today!
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)
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