Another Hep Case Confirmed at O‘ahu Restaurant

Big Island Now stock photo. Sept. 2016.

The Hawai‘i State Department of Health confirmed an additional case of hepatitis A in an O‘ahu food service worker on Tuesday, Sept. 13.

The infected person is an employee at Harbor Restaurant at Pier 38, located at 1133 North Nimitz Highway in Honolulu.

Affected dates of service are Aug. 26 through Sept. 12, 2016.

“Because of the long incubation period for hepatitis A, we are continuing to see new cases of this illness even after identifying and removing contaminated scallops from Hawai‘i restaurants and individuals exposed in July and August may become ill as late as September or October,” said State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Park. “We want the public to understand that this does not represent a new outbreak, nor is this restaurant considered a source of the ongoing outbreak.”

DOH is providing this information to the public as a precaution in an attempt to prevent any new cases. The likelihood that patrons of this business will become infected is very low.

To date, DOH has confirmed a total of 252 cases of hepatitis A as part of this outbreak investigation.

Updated case counts and information are provided online each Wednesday along with a complete list of food service establishments that have had employees diagnosed with hepatitis infection within the past 50 days.

Vaccination provides the best protection from hepatitis A, so any person who consumed food or beverage products prepared or served at this business during the identified periods may want to contact their healthcare providers about receiving a vaccine or immune globulin.

This may provide some protection against the disease if administered within two weeks after exposure.

A statewide list of vaccinating pharmacies can be downloaded here, The information is also available by calling the Aloha United Way information and referral line at 2-1-1

Help prevent the spread of hepatitis A by washing your hands often and thoroughly, especially after using the bathroom and before preparing food.

For more information on proper hand washing, go online.