If you have been exposed to Hepatitis A by eating at Genki Sushi during the outbreak or have come in close contact with someone who has Hepatitis A, the CDC recommends you get the vaccination within 14 days of exposure. We are offering the Hepatitis A vaccine for adult patients, 19 years of age and older, at Kauai Urgent Care Clinic at 4484 Pahee Street (next to KCFCU) in Lihue. Vaccines are available during Urgent Care hours: Monday – Sunday 8am to 7pm. No appointments necessary, just walk-in. Please bring your health plan membership card and Driver’s license, state I.D., or a valid photo I.D. with you to the Kauai Urgent Care Clinic. We recommend you contact your insurance provider to see if the Hepatitis A vaccine is covered under your health plan. If you have previously completed a Hepatitis A vaccine series, you do not need to get another vaccine. On August 15, 2016, the Hawaii Department of Health (HDOH) identified raw scallops served at Genki Sushi restaurants on Oahu and Kauai as the probable source of the hepatitis A outbreak in Hawaii.

The following information is being provided to help Hawaii Pacific Health patients determine what to do if they recently dined at Genki Sushi or believe they may have been exposed. Hepatitis A is a contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). The disease can range from a mild illness lasting one to two weeks to a severe illness lasting for several months. HAV is found in the stool of people with hepatitis A infection and is usually spread by eating contaminated food or drinking water and can be spread through close personal/sexual contact. A person who has hepatitis A can easily pass the disease to others within the same household. It is recommended that anyone who has dined at Genki Sushi on Oahu or Kauai within the last two weeks get vaccinated for hepatitis A. The vaccine is helpful in reducing the chance of developing hepatitis A if given within 14 days of exposure. Anyone who may have been exposed more than two weeks ago should watch for early signs and symptoms of hepatitis A for a period of two months following initial exposure.

Signs and symptoms include: If anyone is experiencing these symptoms, they should seek immediate medical attention. In general, vaccination is strongly recommended for certain individuals who are especially at risk. See the list of groups recommended to be vaccinated for hepatitis A by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If you have already been vaccinated for hepatitis A or have had hepatitis A disease in the past, you should be protected and do not require a booster for protection. While vaccination provides the best protection, frequent handwashing with soap and water after using the bathroom, changing a diaper, or before preparing food can help prevent the spread of hepatitis A. Appropriately cooking and preparing foods can also help prevent infection. Contact your insurance provider to determine if the vaccine is covered by your insurance plan. Having a doctor’s prescription is a good idea as it will decrease any out-of-pocket costs that may be incurred.

Contact your insurance provider to determine if the vaccine is covered by your insurance plan and/or if you will have any out-of-pocket costs based on your plan coverage. Visit the Hawaii Department of Health website for a list of pharmacies that provide the hepatitis A vaccine, or call the Aloha United Way information and referral line at 211.sushi at home via avigliana The Hawaii Department of Health advises that the demand for the vaccine during the outbreak has led to varied supply levels around the state, so it is recommended that people call ahead to assure the vaccine is available at a particular clinic or pharmacy before going there.sushi grade fish harrisburg Additional information and resources about the hepatitis A outbreak are available on the Hawaii Department of Health website.jiro dreams of sushi ul to

The Hawaii Department of Health (HDOH) is continuing to investigate a cluster of hepatitis A infections in the state. On August 15, 2016, HDOH identified raw scallops served at Genki Sushi restaurants on Oahu and Kauai as a likely source of the ongoing outbreak. sushi go round east tamakiThe product of concern is Sea Port Bay Scallops (Wild Harvest, Raw Frozen) that originated in the Philippines (states “Product of the Philippines” on the box), distributed by Koha Oriental Foods and True World Foods. jiro dreams of sushi review new yorkerAs a result, HDOH ordered this product embargoed (not to be sold, purchased, or consumed) throughout the state, and the temporary closure of all Genki Sushi restaurants on Oahu and Kauai. genki sushi menu lihue

The scallops received by True World Foods have not been distributed to any restaurants in the state, and were embargoed at their warehouse. The scallops served at Genki locations on the Big Island and Maui originated from a different supplier and have not been associated with the outbreak. The outbreak investigation is ongoing. It continues to be challenging because of the long incubation period of the disease (15 to 50 days) and the difficulty patients have in accurately recalling the foods consumed and locations visited during the period when infection could have taken place. Healthcare providers have been informed and are asked to notify HDOH immediately if they have a patient they suspect may be infected. HDOH encourages Hawaii residents to consider getting vaccinated for hepatitis A, and advises that they talk to their healthcare provider about hepatitis A if they are interested. Vaccination for hepatitis A is strongly recommended for certain individuals who are especially at risk (see HERE for a CDC list of groups recommended to be vaccinated for hepatitis A).

Hawaii residents are also advised that the demand for the vaccine during the outbreak has led to varied supply levels around the state, so it is recommended that they call ahead to assure the vaccine is available at a particular clinic or pharmacy before going there. —Updated August 18, 2016— The Hawaii Department of Health (HDOH) greatly appreciates all who volunteered to be part of our case control study. However, due to recent findings (press release) a case control study is no longer necessary, and will not be conducted at this time. HDOH is very grateful for the public’s assistance throughout the course of this investigation. As of January 4, 2017*: Since the last update, HDOH has identified zero (0) new cases of hepatitis A. Seventy-four (74) have required hospitalization. Findings of the investigation suggest that the source of the outbreak is focused on Oahu. Eleven (11) individuals are residents of the islands of Hawaii, Kauai, or Maui, and seven visitors have returned to the mainland or overseas.

Although the 50-day maximum incubation period from the date of the scallops embargo has passed, HDOH continues to be alert for people who have had onset of illness earlier but may present late to a clinician, as well as possible secondary cases. Secondary cases have been rare in this outbreak and have been limited to household members of cases or close contacts of cases. Onset of illness has ranged between 6/12/16 – 10/9/16. Unvaccinated contacts of cases should talk to their healthcare providers about the possibility of receiving hepatitis A vaccine or immune globulin, which may provide some protection against the disease if administered within the first two weeks after exposure. A contact is defined as: Note: A food handler is any person who directly prepares, serves, or handles food. Unvaccinated food handlers who are contacts of cases must have a negative hepatitis A IgM test before they return to work. More information about contacts of hepatitis A cases can be found on this printable factsheet.

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. Listed businesses will be removed from this list once 50 days have elapsed from the affected employee’s last service date while potentially infectious. Since the incubation period for hepatitis A is between 15 and 50 days, any customers who were potentially exposed at that business are no longer considered at risk for developing hepatitis A from that exposure after 50 days have passed. Unable to view the table? Try another web browser (e.g. Mozilla Firefox or Internet Explorer).