Customers at a Panda Express in Lancaster, Calif., urged to get hepatitis A vaccine

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 possible hepatitis A exposure. Public Health discovered that a food handler working at the location was infected with the hepatitis A virus.

No other cases have been found so far.

Public Health recommends that customers who consumed Panda Express food or beverages between July 21 and August 21 receive the Hepatitis A vaccine. April 2023. The vaccine must be given within two weeks of exposure to be effective. Vaccination is not necessary for people who have previously completed the hepatitis A vaccine series or are known to have been infected in the past.

Hepatitis A vaccine is available through your local pharmacy or doctor’s office. In addition, public health will provide free hepatitis A vaccinations to exposed individuals at the following locations:

Antelope Canyon Health Center
335 E Avenue K 6 B
Lancaster, CA 93535
Monday, August 14, 12:30pm – 4:30pm
Tuesday, August 15 to Friday, August 18, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Most people will develop protective levels of antibodies after one dose of hepatitis A vaccine, but may choose to see their primary care provider 6 months after receiving the first dose to complete the second dose series.

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 via the fecal-oral route (when an infected person’s contaminated feces is 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 develop symptoms, including fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). Symptoms range from mild to severe. There is no specific antiviral treatment. While timely vaccination may prevent infection, infection may occur in people who are vaccinated too late. People with a pattern of symptoms should call their provider and get tested for hepatitis A.

Vaccination is the best way to prevent disease. Additionally, infection can be prevented by vaccination after known exposure to a person with infectious hepatitis A. Older adults and people with weakened immune systems may benefit from receiving immune globulin (IG) as part of post-exposure prophylaxis in addition to hepatitis A vaccination. If you have any questions about hepatitis A or whether immune globulin is needed, public health recommends that you talk to your primary care provider. If you do not have a regular medical provider, call 2-1-1 for assistance.

Public Health will continue to monitor all known individuals who may have been exposed to someone with hepatitis A.

For more information, please contact: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/acd/diseases/hepa.htm

(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News,Click here)