Los Angeles County health officials are recommending that customers who consumed food or beverages at the Panda Express in Lancaster between July 21 and August 4 be vaccinated against hepatitis A.
The warning came after the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health found that a food handler who worked at the restaurant was infected with the hepatitis A virus. 44411 Valley Central RoadDepartment officials said in Lancaster.
No other cases have been identified so far.
Hepatitis A, a liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus, is highly contagious and spreads from person to person through the fecal-oral route (when another person ingests contaminated feces of an infected person in nearby personal contact ), or eating or drinking contaminated food or water.
Symptoms in most adults with acute hepatitis A may include fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). Symptoms range from mild to severe.
The hepatitis A vaccine is available at some local pharmacies or doctors’ offices.
Additionally, the county health department will provide free hepatitis A vaccinations to exposed individuals at the Antelope Valley Health Center, 335 E. Ave. KMonday 12:30pm to 4:30pm, Tuesday to Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm
While timely vaccination may prevent infection, it can still develop in people who get vaccinated too late.
People who have been vaccinated against hepatitis A before or who have a past infection do not need to be vaccinated.