Wanting ‘Some Peace Of Mind,’ Hundreds Of San Diegans Flock To Get Hep A Vaccinations
While the disease is highly contagious, experts say the general public is probably not at high right of contracting it. The majority of those who have been sickened in the San Diego outbreak have been homeless.
Los Angeles Times:
In San Diego, Hundreds Line Up For Hepatitis A Vaccinations After Deadly Outbreak May Have Hit Restaurants
After news that San Diego’s deadly hepatitis A outbreak may have infiltrated the food service industry, more than 200 people this weekend lined up for vaccinations as restaurants reinforced their health safety measures. “All eyes are on San Diego,” Steve Zolezzi, president of the Food & Beverage Assn. of San Diego, said of the outbreak, one of the nation’s largest in decades, which prompted county officials to declare a local public health emergency earlier this month. (Nikolewski, 9/18)
KPBS:
General Public Considered At Low Risk In Hepatitis A Outbreak
Sixteen deaths, 421 people infected — that is the growing toll of San Diego County’s outbreak of hepatitis A that has hit the homeless population especially hard. ... Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver disease. It is spread when someone ingests food or water that has been contaminated with the feces of an infected person. (Goldberg, 9/18)
Eater:
Diners At San Diego Restaurant Warned Of Possible Hep A Exposure
A deadly outbreak of hepatitis A in San Diego may have spread to a beachside restaurant. The county health department confirmed on Friday that an employee at World Famous restaurant (711 Pacific Beach Dr.) in the Pacific Beach neighborhood may have been exposed to hepatitis A, a contagious viral infection that causes inflammation of the liver. ...San Diego County is currently facing one of the largest outbreaks of hepatitis A in decades. Over the past 10 months, at least 421 people have been sickened and 16 killed by the infection, according to CNN. Hepatitis A is transmitted through contaminated food and water and through direct contact with an infected person. (Houck, 9/18)