Health officials warn of possible hepatitis exposure at West Hollywood juice bar

LOS ANGELES - A food handler at a West Hollywood juice bar was confirmed to be infected with hepatitis A, county health officials said Friday, adding they are working with the business owners to identify customers who may have been exposed.

According to the county Department of Public Health, no additional hepatitis cases have yet been identified stemming from the worker at Sunlife Organics Juice Bar in the 8500 block of West Sunset Boulevard.

But health officials are recommending that customers who ate food or drank beverages from the juice bar between March 14-17 receive a vaccination for hepatitis A. Vaccination is not needed for people who previously received the shot, or have had a prior infection. But to reduce illness, the vaccine should be administered within two weeks of exposure.

While shots may be available at local pharmacies or doctors' offices, the county will offer free hepatitis vaccines to potentially exposed people next week at the Hollywood Wilshire Health Center, 5205 Melrose Ave.

The shots will be offered from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday and Monday, and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday.

According to county health officials, hepatitis A is "highly contagious" and can be spread by eating or drinking contaminated food or water. Adults who develop acute hepatitis A can experience symptoms including fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark-colored urine or jaundice, which is a yellowing of the skin or eyes.

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