Health & Human Services Agency Public Health Division 2344 Old Sonoma Road Building G Napa, CA 94559 www.countyofnapa.org/publichealth Main: (707) 253-4270 Fax: (707) 253-4880 Howard K. Himes Agency Director March 12, 2015 Hepatitis A Outbreak in Napa County Potential Hepatitis A Exposures Call Napa County Public Health for more information: (707) 253-4270 What:  In the last two weeks five confirmed cases of Hepatitis A virus (HAV) have been reported to Napa County Public Health.  Napa County Public Health is giving out this information because people may have been exposed to the Hepatitis A virus and they need to watch their health for symptoms of Hepatitis A infection.  Right now we don’t know the source of the Hepatitis A infections. Public health is working to find the source.  The risk of getting Hepatitis A is low, but Public Health wants to be sure people have information to protect their health. Who is at risk?  People who ate food or drink at La Toque restaurant and BANK Café and Bar, which are both in The Westin Verasa Napa Hotel, between Feb. 9 and Feb. 26, may have been exposed to the Hepatitis A virus.  They should watch for symptoms of Hepatitis A for 50 days after their visit. o  If they start having Hepatitis A symptoms they should call their healthcare immediately and tell them they may have exposed to Hepatitis in Napa Anyone experiencing Hepatitis A symptoms should contact their healthcare provider immediately. Symptoms of Hepatitis A      Fever Fatigue Loss of appetite Nausea Vomiting    Abdominal discomfort Dark urine Clay-colored bowel movement   Joint pain Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin) Wash your hands to stop the spread of Hepatitis A  Those possibly exposed should practice good hand washing habits after using the bathroom and prior to food preparation to avoid any further spread of illness.  Hand washing should include vigorous soaping of the hands. All surfaces should be washed including the back of the hands, wrists, between fingers and under fingernails.  Hands should then be thoroughly rinsed with running water. How do you get Hepatitis A infections?  Person to person contact  Eating/drinking contaminated food or drink What is Hepatitis A?  Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that results from infection with the Hepatitis A virus. It can range in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a severe illness lasting several months.  People infected with the Hepatitis A virus can spread it to others during the two weeks before they know they are sick and in the seven days after they develop symptoms. Signs and symptoms of Hepatitis A start on average 28 days after exposure, although they may occur 15-50 days after exposure.