LA Panda Express linked to Hepatitis A Scare (2024)
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) is working with Panda Express in Lancaster (44411 Valley Central Way Lancaster, CA 93536) to alert consumers of a possible hepatitis A exposure. Public Health identified hepatitis A virus infection in a food handler who worked at this location.
No additional cases have been identified at this time.
Public Health recommends hepatitis A vaccination for patrons who consumed food or beverages from Panda Express between July 21–August 4, 2023. Vaccination is not necessary for people who previously completed the hepatitis A vaccine series or are known to have a past infection.
Hepatitis A vaccinations might be available through local pharmacies or physicians’ offices. In addition,Public Health will be offering free hepatitis A vaccinations to exposed persons at:
Tuesday, August 15 through Friday, August 18, 8 am – 4:30 pm
Most people will have protective levels of antibody after one dose of the Hepatitis A vaccine but can choose to visit their primary care provider to complete the series with a second dose 6 months after receiving their first dose.
Hepatitis A is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. Hepatitis A is highly contagious and can be spread from person-to-person through the fecal-oral route (when contaminated feces from an infected person are somehow ingested by another person during close personal contact) or by eating or drinking contaminated food or water). Most adults with acute hepatitis A will have symptoms that may include fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark colored urine and jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). Symptoms vary from mild to severe. There is no specific antiviral treatment. While prompt vaccination is likely to prevent infection, infection may occur in those who receive vaccination too late. Patrons who develop symptoms should call their provider and for a Hepatitis A test.
Vaccination is the best way to prevent disease. In addition, infection can be prevented by vaccination after a known exposure to a person with infectious hepatitis A. Older adults and people with weakened immune systems might benefit from receiving immune globulin (IG) in addition to hepatitis A vaccination for prevention after an exposure. For any questions about hepatitis A or the need for immune globulin, Public Health recommends that you speak to your primary care provider. If you do not have a regular provider, call 2-1-1 for assistance.
Public Health will continue monitoring all known individuals who may have been exposed to individuals ill with hepatitis A.
Public Health identified hepatitis A virus infection in a food handler who worked at this location. No additional cases have been identified at this time. Public Health recommends hepatitis A vaccination for patrons who consumed food or beverages from Panda Express between July 21–August 4, 2023.
You eat or drink food or water that has been contaminated by stools (feces) containing the hepatitis A virus. Unpeeled and uncooked fruits and vegetables, shellfish, ice, and water are common sources of the disease.
The virus is killed by heating to 185 degrees F (85 degrees C) for one minute. However, the virus can still be spread from cooked food if it is contaminated after cooking. Adequate chlorination of water, as recommended in the United States, kills HAV that enters the water supply.
Overview. Hepatitis A is an inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). The virus is primarily spread when an uninfected (and unvaccinated) person ingests food or water that is contaminated with the faeces of an infected person.
To prevent the spread of hepatitis A from an infected food worker to co-workers and/or restaurant patrons, food workers should never touch ready-to-eat foods with bare hands, and should carefully wash their hands after using the bathroom, even if the food worker does not feel sick.
This single farm supplied strawberries to multiple importers across both outbreaks and some recipients processed fresh strawberries into the frozen berries consumed in the 2023 outbreak. As of September 15, 2023, no additional illnesses have been reported and CDC has announced that this outbreak has ended.
Hepatitis A is common in areas with inadequate sanitation and limited access to clean water. In highly endemic areas (e.g., parts of Africa and Asia), a large proportion of adults in the population are infected as children, are immune to HAV, and epidemics are uncommon.
Hepatitis B, C, and D can be transmitted through blood, sem*n, and other body fluids. This means that these viruses can be transmitted during unprotected sex. The hepatitis B virus is ten times more infectious than HIV. A pregnant woman who has hepatitis B can transmit the virus to her child during birth.
There's no treatment once you've been infected. You'll have to wait until your body gets rid of the virus. Most people find that their liver is healed within 6 months.
Most people with hepatitis A recover within 3 months. Nearly all people get better within 6 months. There is no lasting damage once you've recovered.Also, you can't get the disease again.
All types of hepatitis are treatable but only A and C are curable. Most people with hepatitis A or hepatitis B infection will recover on their own, with no lasting liver damage. In rare cases, people with hepatitis B will develop chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer.
Although foodborne illnesses caused by hepatitis A are not common in the U.S., water, shellfish, raw vegetables and fruit (berries), and salads are most frequently cited as potential foodborne sources.
Hepatitis A is caused by hepatitis A virus (HAV). Transmission occurs by the fecal-oral route, either by direct contact with an HAV-infected person or by ingestion of HAV-contaminated food or water. Foodborne or waterborne hepatitis A outbreaks are relatively uncommon in the United States.
Many experts recommend that hepatitis patients also avoid raw or undercooked shellfish, which can harbor viruses and bacteria. You may consider limiting your consumption of processed foods as well, since they can contain chemical additives and high levels of salt.
Hepatitis A is mainly found in the feces of people infected with it. The virus can contaminate water and many types of food. It is commonly linked with ready-to- eat food. However, it has also been linked with shellfish from contaminated water.
Avoid dairy products. Avoid raw or undercooked meat and fish. Beware of sliced fruit that may have been washed in unclean water. Travelers should peel all fresh fruits and vegetables themselves.
Common modes of transmission for these viruses include receipt of contaminated blood or blood products, invasive medical procedures using contaminated equipment and for hepatitis B transmission from mother to baby at birth, from family member to child, and also by sexual contact.
Introduction: My name is Domingo Moore, I am a attractive, gorgeous, funny, jolly, spotless, nice, fantastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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