Hepatitis A in Hawaii (Update)

19 Aug 2016

On 15 August 2016 the Hawaii Department of Health (HDOH) identified raw scallops served at Genki Sushi restaurants on Oahu and Kauai as a likely source of the ongoing Hepatitis A outbreak.

The product of concern is Sea Port Bay Scallops (Raw Frozen) believed to have originated in the Philippines. The HDOH has embargoed this product throughout the state (should not to be sold, purchased, or consumed), and temporarily closed of all Genki Sushi restaurants on Oahu and Kauai.

The HDOH has advised of ongoing investigations into this outbreak, asserting that the diseases long incubation period (average 28 days) and the difficulty people have in accurately recalling what they have eaten have made the investigations challenging.

As of the 17 August 2016 HDOH have confirmed 206 cases, 51 of which have required hospitalisation.

Advice for Travellers

Hepatitis A is spread through contaminated water and food or person to person via the faecal-oral route. Most travellers to the USA will be at very low risk of disease.

Travellers to Oahu should be made aware of current outbreak and advised to avoid consumption of potentially contaminated drinks and drinking water and to ensure food is uncontaminated or cooked thoroughly. Personal hygiene when eating and drinking is also important including hand washing prior to eating and using clean plates, cups and utensils.