Wolfgang Puck Catering Hepatitis A Risk
Wolfgang Puck Caterer Positive for Hepatitis A
A food handler working for Wolfgang Puck Catering at a recent Sports Illustrated party has tested positive for hepatitis A, exposing hundreds of partygoers to the potentially life-threatening foodborne pathogen. In addition, people who ate at other venues where Wolfgang Puck Catering provided the food may also be at risk if food was handled by the infected worker.
According to a Reuters story:
The Los Angeles County health department recommended on Tuesday that anyone who ate uncooked food at the U.S. sports magazine's party on February 14 get treatment by Wednesday to avoid developing the serious liver disease.
Health officials said the risk was "quite low" and that no Wolfgang Puck pre-packaged foods or restaurants were affected.
Hepatitis A is caused by a virus spread by ingesting something contaminated with the feces of an infected person. Symptoms can include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal pain and jaundice.
Carl Shuster, president of Wolfgang Puck Catering, said the company was working closely with health officials to contact anyone who ate food prepared in its Hollywood kitchen between February 1 and 20.
Fred Pritzker, a leading food poisoning lawyer, represents people wrongfully infected with hepatitis a. He has recovered millions for victims of food poisoning.