Hepatitis A Outbreak
On August 15, 2016, the Hawaiʻi Department of Public Health (HDOH) ordered all Oahu and Kauai Genki Sushi Restaurants to close after discovering a link to a hepatitis A outbreak. The evidence appears to link to Sea Port Bay Scallops that originated in the Philippines and were distributed by Koha Oriental Foods to Genki Sushi on Oahu and Kauai. The HDOH’s investigation continues and so far confirms 206 cases of Hepatitis A.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that hepatitis A is frequently transmitted by contaminated food by the ingestion of fecal matter, even in microscopic amounts. Hepatitis A attacks the liver and in some cases can be very serious and even fatal. The details of the Genki transmission are not yet known.
If you think you have been exposed to Hepatitis A, immediately contact your doctor. Typically symptoms begin 15 to 50 days after eating contaminated food. Flulike symptoms are common, including fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and joint pain. Some victims have yellow skin and eyes (jaundice), dark urine, and/or pale-colored stool. Sometimes Hepatitis A does not cause symptoms.
If you believe you have been exposed, the most important thing for you to do is to see your doctor. The Hepatitis A vaccine can be effective up to 15 days after exposure to contaminated food.
Andrews & Thornton and their partners, Wayne Parsons and Mike Schmidt, have successfully litigated hepatitis cases for many years. If you or a loved one has been exposed to Hepatitis A at Genki Sushi Restaurants in Oahu or Kauai, please contact us at 1-800-664-1734 for a free consultation.
