An employee at a Los Angeles-area Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant was infected with hepatitis A, meaning patrons have possibly been exposed to the highly contagious disease.
The infection was reported at the Monterey Park location at 4000 Market Place, and confirmed by the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health.
Because of the symptoms the employee exhibited while at work, the department recommends anyone that ate at that restaurant between Nov. 13 and Nov. 22 receive a hepatitis A vaccine.
According to the department, receiving the vaccine within 14 days of exposure could help reduce the chance of infection. Vaccination is not necessary for those who have already completed the vaccination, or have contracted the disease previously.
Those looking to receive the vaccine should contact their local pharmacy or medical provider. The department said it’s working to ensure other employees at that Buffalo Wild Wings location will receive vaccinations if they’re not already immune.
Hepatitis A is highly contagious and affects the liver. While rare, it can cause death.
Symptoms include fever, weakness, fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), stomach pain, vomiting, dark urine, pale stools, and diarrhea. It can spread when a person unknowingly consumes objects, food, or drinks contaminated by small, undetected amounts of stool from an infected person.
