Hepatitis A Outbreak and Sharky's Restaurant
Health officials are investigating a hepatitis A outbreak linked to Sharky's Restaurant in Rockaway Beach, Oregon. People who ate at Sharky's Restaurant between April 15 and April 30 may be starting to get sick and should watch for hepatitis A symptoms, including fever, nausea, diarrhea, light-colored stools, dark-colored urine, fatigue, loss of appetite, abdominal cramps, and jaundice (the yellowing of the skin and eyes).
Hepatitis A is spread through human feces. The contamination can happen anywhere from farm to table. In restaurants the source of a hepatitis A outbreak is sometimes an infected food handler, but the food could also have been contaminated before it reached the restaurant. Either way, restaurants can be held responsible when an outbreak is linked to them. There are numerous issues involved, however, including sufficient evidence and causation.
Hepatitis A can cause inflammation of the liver. In some cases, damage to the liver can impair functioning and increase the risk of other infections. People who are infected with hepatitis A and experience dark-colored urine may require hospitalization. If you ate at Sharky's Restaurant and suspect hepatitits A, you should seek medical attention immediately.
