Outbreak of hepatitis A in Hawaii linked to raw scallops

Posted August 19, 2016 5:00 PM ET

Outbreak

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.

CDC and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are assisting HDOH with its investigation. At this time, CDC is not aware of any hepatitis A virus infections in other states linked to the Hawaii outbreak. CDC continues to monitor for illnesses in other states.

Recall

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.

Advice to Consumers, Restaurants, and Retailers

Residents of Hawaii and Recent Travelers to Hawaii

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

General Hepatitis A Prevention

• 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

Additional Resources

• Hawaii Department of Health: Hepatitis A Outbreak 2016
• FDA Investigates Outbreak of Hepatitis A Illnesses Linked to Raw Scallops
• CDC Hepatitis A Questions and Answers for the Public
• CDC Hepatitis A Questions and Answers for Health Professionals