The Hawaii Department of Health (HDOH) is investigating an outbreak of hepatitis A in its state. For the latest case count and investigation findings, visit the HDOH outbreak investigation website. On August 15, 2016, HDOH identified raw scallops served at Genki Sushi restaurants on the islands of Oahu and Kauai as a likely source of the ongoing outbreak.

As of August 31, 2016*:

Since the last update, HDOH has identified 13 new cases of hepatitis A.  All cases have been in adults, 64 have required hospitalization.

Findings of the investigation suggest that the source of the outbreak is focused on Oahu. Ten (10) individuals are residents of the islands of Hawaii, Kauai, or Maui, and four visitors have returned to the mainland.

CONFIRMED CASES OF HEPATITIS A 241

Onset of illness has ranged between 6/12/16 – 8/25/16.

 

On August 18, 2016, Sea Port Products Corp. recalled three lots of frozen bay scallops produced on November 23-24, 2015 in the Philippines. The lot numbers are 5885, 5886, and 5887. The products were distributed to California, Hawaii, and Nevada. The recalled products were not sold directly to consumers by Sea Port.

An employee of the following food service business(es) has been diagnosed with hepatitis A. This list does not indicate these businesses are sources of this outbreak; at this time, no infections have been linked to exposure to these businesses. The likelihood that patrons of these businesses will become infected is very low. However, persons who have consumed food or drink products from these businesses during the identified dates of service should contact their healthcare provider for advice and possible preventive care.

Business Island Location Dates of Service
Chili’s Oahu Kapolei (590 Farrington Highway) July 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, and 27, 2016
Hawaiian Airlines Flight list (click here) July 1-26, 2016
Hokkaido Ramen Santouka Oahu Honolulu (801 Kaheka Street) July 21-23, 26-30, and August 2-6, 9-11, 2016
Sushi Shiono Hawaii Waikoloa Beach Resort, Queen’s MarketPlace (69-201 Waikoloa Beach Drive) July 5-8, 11-15, and 18-21, 2016
Tamashiro Market Oahu Kalihi (802 N. King Street) July 2, 4, 6–8, 11–13, 15–19, and 23, 2016
Papa John’s Waipahu Oahu Waipahu (94-1021 Waipahu Street) July 23-24, and Aug. 2, 2016
New Lin Fong bakery Oahu Chinatown (1132 Maunakea Street) July 20, 22-23, 25, 27, 29-30, and Aug. 1, 3, and 5-6, 2016
Hawaiian Airlines Flight list (click here) July 31-August 1, August 10-12

 

If you live in Hawaii, or have recently traveled to Hawaii and ate scallops at a Genki Sushi restaurant, HDOH has specific advice on its website for you.

Advice to Restaurants and Retailers

  • Restaurants and retailers should not serve or sell recalled scallops.
    • The recalled scallops were produced on November 23-24, 2015 in the Philippines.
    • Recalled lot numbers are 5885, 5886, and 5887
  • The products were distributed to California, Hawaii, and Nevada. Restaurants and retailers should check their freezers and inventory for recalled scallops and return them to their distributor.

Advice to Consumers

  • Before you eat raw or cooked scallops in a restaurant, ask the restaurant who supplied the scallops and if they were recalled. If they were recalled or the restaurant doesn’t know the origin of the scallops, don’t eat them.
  • If you think you’ve gotten sick from eating contaminated scallops, contact your health care provider.
    • Some symptoms of hepatitis A virus infection include:
      • Yellow eyes or skin
      • Abdominal pain
      • Pale stools
      • Dark urine
    • CDC recommends the following groups be vaccinated for hepatitis A:
      • All children at age 1 year
      • Travelers to countries that have high rates of hepatitis A
      • Family members and caregivers of recent adoptees from countries where hepatitis A is common
      • Men who have sexual contact with other men
      • Users of injection and non-injection illegal drugs
      • People with chronic (lifelong) liver diseases, such as hepatitis B or hepatitis C
      • People who are treated with clotting-factor concentrates
      • People who work with Hepatitis A infected animals or in a Hepatitis A research laboratory