News reports that customers may have been exposed to hepatitis A at a Costco in Montebello, health officials said Friday.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said in a statement there was a “possible low risk” of exposure to the deadly virus. Butchered meat and seafood products sold at the store, 1345 N. Montebello Ave., between Oct. 22 and Oct. 31 may have been contaminated by a worker with hepatitis A.

Hepatitis A is a liver disease with symptoms that include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, clay-colored bowel movements, joint pain, and a yellowing of the skin or eyes or jaundice. In extreme cases, the virus can cause liver failure and even death.

The Department of Public Health is working with Costco to investigate the possible exposure and provide employees with hepatitis A vaccines, according to the statement.

The department is recommending that individuals who handled or consumed the meat and seafood products from the Montebello Costco get vaccinated or receive an immune globulin shot by Mondayto prevent or reduce illness. They should also discard any leftover meat and seafood purchased between Oct. 22 and Oct. 31.

Costco is offering free hepatitis A vaccinations at the Montebello store for any customers who may have handled or consumed the meat and seafood products that may have been contaminated.

Here are the times the vaccines are offered:

  • 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11
  • 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12
  • 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 13

The Department of Public Health routinely sees cases of hepatitis A. Over the past five years, there have been between 35 and 60 confirmed cases each year.

For more information on hepatitis A, go to www.publichealth.lacounty.gov or call the county information line at 211.