Los Angeles County health officials recommend that customers who consumed food or beverages at the Panda Express in Lancaster between July 21 and August 4 receive the hepatitis A vaccine.
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health officials issued the warning after department officials said a hepatitis A virus infection was discovered in a food handler working at the restaurant at 44411 Lancaster Valley Center Road.
No other cases have been detected so far.
Hepatitis A is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. It 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 Spread by 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.
Hepatitis A vaccine is available through some local pharmacies or doctor’s offices. In addition, the county health department will provide free A-virus clinics to exposed persons on Monday from 12:30 to 4:30 noon and 8:00 to 4:30 a.m. at the Antelope Valley Health Center, 335 E. Ave. K Hepatitis vaccinations are available Tuesday through Friday afternoon.
While getting vaccinated on time may prevent infection, people who get vaccinated too late can still get infected.
For people who have previously been vaccinated against hepatitis A or have been infected, vaccination is not necessary.