Vancouver Coastal Health is notifying people who dined at Araxi Restaurant + Oyster Bar (110 – 4222 Village Square, Whistler) or at Il Caminetto (4242 Village Stroll, Whistler) about a possible exposure to hepatitis A from July 4 to July 20.
Although the risk of transmission to the public is low, Vancouver Coastal Heath (VCH) Public Health advises anyone who consumed food at either restaurant during this time period to monitor themselves for symptoms of hepatitis A, which can take two to seven weeks to develop after exposure and last for about two months.
Symptoms include:
- Feeling very tired
- Feeling sick to your stomach and not feeling hungry
- Losing weight without trying
- Pain on the right side of the belly, under the rib cage (where your liver is)
- Fever
- Sore muscles
- Yellow skin and eyes (jaundice), dark urine, and clay-coloured stools
If you have early symptoms of hepatitis A it is very important to see your health care provider. In most cases, the infection goes away on its own and does not lead to long-term liver problems. In rare cases, it can be more serious.
Getting immunized with one dose of hepatitis A vaccine can help to prevent infection if given within two weeks of exposure.
Therefore, VCH recommends immunization with hepatitis A vaccine for anyone who dined at either restaurant from July 14-20.
A free dose of hepatitis A vaccine is available for those who are eligible at clinics and pharmacies throughout the VCH region. A current list of locations is attached, and will be kept up to date at: https://www.vch.ca/hep-a-vaccine.
Those who are outside the VCH region should contact their local Public Health unit.
Those who have previously been infected with hepatitis A or those who received two doses of hepatitis A vaccine prior to the exposure event are considered protected. Find more information about hepatitis A symptoms, causes, tests, treatments and prevention at http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/hepatitis-a.
Individuals who are concerned they may have been exposed and have questions can call 811 or speak to their primary care provider.
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