Florida health officials have issued a warning for patrons of a Lake Buena Vista restaurant after a food service worker tested positive for hepatitis A.

Image/KDH
Image/KDH

The Florida Department of Health in Orange County (DOH-Orange) reports the individual worked at the Morimoto Asia restaurant located at 1600 East Buena Vista Drive in Lake Buena Vista.

Health officials advise people who consumed any food or beverage at this restaurant from November 6 – 16, 2018, may have been exposed to the hepatitis A virus. Patrons that haven’t previously had hepatitis A or been vaccinated for hepatitis A should seek post-exposure prophylaxis.

Talking Hepatitis A with Dr Amesh Adalja

Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that results from infection with the hepatitis A virus. It can range in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a severe illness lasting several months. Hepatitis A is usually spread when a person ingests fecal matter, even in microscopic amounts, from contact with objects, food, or drinks contaminated by the feces or stool of an infected person.

Patrons should monitor for symptoms of hepatitis A infection–Hepatitis A infection typically causes fever, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, dark urine, and yellowness of the skin and eyes.

Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek medical attention promptly.

Good hygiene to prevent the spread of hepatitis A—washing hands well after a bathroom visit and after changing diapers—lessens the chance that fecal contamination will spread the disease in those who have it. Vaccination is the best protection for those at risk.