Hawaii hepatitis A cases reach 276
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
The Department of Health on Aug. 18 showed a box of the Sea Port Bay Scallops that tested positive for the hepatitis A virus.
The Department of Health announced today that the number of people who have contracted hepatitis A rose to 276 over the last week, with five new cases reported since last Wednesday.
Dr. Sarah Park, state epidemiologist, has warned that cases are expected to continue cropping up into October because of the long incubation period of the disease. The virus produces symptoms from two weeks to 50 days after exposure.
The outbreak has been traced to frozen scallops that were served raw at Genki Sushi. The scallops were pulled from the market last month and are no longer being imported from the Philippines. Most cases involve people who ate at a Genki outlet. Several cases have been reported among household members of people who contracted the disease, according to the Health Department.
So far, 17 food-service workers have come down with the liver virus, including two flight attendants and two school cafeteria employees. No Genki Sushi workers tested positive for hepatitis A.
The contagious liver disease is spread through contaminated food or drink, or close physical contact with an infected person. Vaccination is the best protection against the disease. Vigorous hand-washing can help prevent its spread.
14 responses to “Hawaii hepatitis A cases reach 276”
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The cost of the vaccine may have curtailed these new cases from getting vaccinated. Those exposed to the affected individuals may not have health insurance and or if they did the cost of 500.00 or there about isn’t affordable for them.
500, wow thats a lot for a vaccination!
What may have “curtailed” people from getting a vaccine are people like you who are saying that vaccinations cost “$500.00”. When I inquired about vaccinations, I learned that Costco was giving vaccinations for $72.00 with no insurance required. Longs was giving vaccinations for $98.99 but you need a prescription. As a Kaiser member, I walked into Kaiser and got it for FREE.
87.3% of figures in articles are made up on the spot….including this one.
It’s free if one is a Kaiser Permanente member. Waipio Clinic was really easy. Walk in, register, get vaccinated. Parking is even free there.
It costs $500 with insurance???
“No Genki employees tested positive”. That should be a lesson to those of you who eat raw previously frozen balls of slime. Employees don’t eat that
****.
It looks like there was no quality control. They are not conducting taste tests of what they are feeding their customers.
What is this? Cut and Paste article? Just up date the numbers? LOL! This is journalism at its finest.
Are these last five cases people who ate tainted scallops or been in close contact with a person who ate scallops? Have ANY cases of infection been from secondary contact with a contaminated surface such as in a public restroom or door handle that was contaminated? What is the true risk where a person can get infected just going about his normal business in public places?
42
I don’t think so.
If you get some insider info about why Brad and Angelina broke up, it would give you a strategic advantage and would improve your chances of being the next to score with Brad (or Angelina, depending which way you swing). Same thing with avoiding being a casualty of this Hep A outbreak, give or take a couple zeros after the decimal point.
Time for one or more State employees to leave, like the Director. S rolls uphill.