Alberta Health Services is warning customers of two Edmonton-area Edo Japan restaurants that they may have been exposed to hepatitis A.
AHS said it confirmed a case of the infection in a food handler who works at two Edo restaurants in the Capital Region – the Manning Town Centre location in Edmonton and the Tudor Glen Market location in St. Albert.
People who consumed food from the above locations between June 13 and 18, 2016 and June 21 and 28, 2016 may have been exposed to hepatitis A, AHS said Tuesday afternoon.
“While we believe the risk to the public is low, hepatitis A is a serious infection,” Dr. Joanna Oda, medical officer of health with the AHS Edmonton Zone, said.
Hepatitis A can be spread through the fecal-oral route, direct contact with an infected person or by ingesting contaminated food or water. If an infected person does not properly wash his or her hands after using the washroom, the virus can be transmitted through food and beverages prepared by the infected individual.
Anyone who ate food from either Edo location is urged to monitor themselves and their family members for symptoms of hepatitis A until Aug. 17. Anyone who develops symptoms is asked to contact Health Link immediately by calling 811.
Symptoms of hepatitis A may include:
- Tiredness
- Poor appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal pain and fever followed by dark-coloured urine, light-coloured stools, and yellowing of eyes and skin several days later
Some people, especially young children, may develop hepatitis A without noticing any symptoms, but they are still infectious to others.
Illness can occur within 15 to 50 days after exposure to the virus, but tends to occur within 28 to 30 days. There is no treatment for Hepatitis A but it can be prevented through vaccination.
AHS maintained both Edo locations have since been cleaned and inspected and both are safe to operate.
“There is no ongoing risk of infection associated with either of the above noted Edo locations,” the AHS media release stated.
Hepatitis A is an infection of the liver caused by a virus. People primarily contract hepatitis A through direct contact with an infected person, but it can also be contracted indirectly by ingesting contaminated food or water.
Comments