A final report on last summer’s Hepatitis A outbreak at New Hawaii Sea restaurant in the Bronx, NY, reveals that there were a total of nine cases (eight patrons and one employee). No definite source of the infection was ever found, according to the report from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Health officials stated that they first became aware on Sept. 17, 2013, that a host working at the restaurant had tested positive for Hep A. The department subsequently warned customers who had eaten at New Hawaii Sea or through their catering service between Sept. 7-19, 2013, to get a vaccination. Inspectors then found “critical violations” at the restaurant on two different visits and instructed the restaurant operator to thoroughly clean and sanitize all equipment and, before reopening, discard any food that had been in contact with bare hands. In addition, the restaurant was temporarily closed until all staff and employees were tested and vaccinated for Hep A. The department’s report stated that no additional Hep A cases associated with food from the New Hawaii Sea restaurant were reported after Sept. 22, 2013. “The lack of secondary cases among the food handlers suggests that the outbreak was over by the time it was identified by the health department,” the report states. Symptoms of Hepatitis A infection include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite.
