The second confirmed local case of hepatitis A within a month led Alberta Health Services (AHS) to issue a public health alert July 10, warning residents of possible exposure.
According to the release, the illness was confirmed in an individual who prepared food at Zenbu Japanese Restaurant while infectious.
“He got this from somewhere else – he is not the source,” said Eliz Jung, who owns the restaurant with her husband, the head chef. “The chances that it has been transmitted to a customer is very limited…I strongly believe no one will get this disease from him."
As the restaurant, which opened in Airdrie in 2011, serves raw fish, Jung said cleanliness has always been a top priority. All employees who handle food are required to wear gloves, she said – for the safety of the customers as well as for their own protection.
Following the incident, the restaurant has undergone an inspection by AHS, the release stated, and the province has confirmed the facility has been cleaned and sanitized and is operating safely – however, Jung said the situation has significantly impacted the business.
“It has affected all my employees because we’ve had to cut their hours,” she said, noting the infected employee has been off work since June 28. “I feel sorry for them, but at the same time, the restaurant has to be surviving from this…I have to manage my expenses to keep my restaurant healthy.”
According to AHS, hepatitis A is a viral infection that affects the liver. The disease is primarily contracted through direct contact with an infected person, but hepatitis A can also spread indirectly through the ingestion of contaminated food or water. While Dr. Jia Hu, a medical officer of health for the Calgary Zone, said it's hard to estimate the likelihood of transmission in any particular case, he noted AHS always takes additional precautions when it comes to sushi restaurants.
"We generally always do notifications in these sorts of situations," he said. "Where we think there is the potential risk for transmissions, our first priority is protecting the public."
Those infected with hepatitis A may notice symptoms including tiredness, poor appetite, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain and fever. Later symptoms of the illness include dark-coloured urine, light-coloured stools, and the yellowing of the eyes and skin.
“Some people, especially young children, may get hepatitis A infection without noticing any symptoms,” the release stated. “However, they are still infectious to others.”
Illness can occur anywhere from 15 to 50 days after exposure, according to AHS, so those who believe they may have been exposed between the dates of June 15 and June 29 are advised to monitor for the listed symptoms over the coming weeks. If these symptoms do develop, AHS encouraged individuals to contact Health Link at 811.
Hu added AHS investigates all confirmed cases of hepatitis A that aren't travel-related to determine the origin of the infection, but said the cause of this case has not yet been established.
In the meantime, Jung said she hopes the community will continue to visit the restaurant.
“More than 40 per cent of our customers are very loyal, and they are all still supporting us and I really thank them,” Jung said, adding since AHS issued the release, these customers have been ordering more food than usual to help the business stay afloat.
“Sincerely, we appreciate all our customers who have believed in us and trust in us and support us.”
