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Health officials from San Luis Obispo County confirmed that three adult residents of the county had contracted hepatitis A following an event with private catering in early May.
Hepatitis A is a virus that infects the liver and causes flu-like symptoms. It can be transmitted through contaminated food or water, as well as through the use of drugs.
The public health department of the SLO said Friday that the three people who had contracted the virus had been sick as a result of an event organized by a private catering service on May 3. linked to one of the epidemics involving the use of illicit drugs throughout the country.
"Hepatitis A can cause serious illness," said Dr. Penny Borenstein, County Health Officer. "It is important to remember that we can prevent this disease with a safe and effective vaccine."
Health officials do not believe that the public is in danger.
No information was disclosed on where the event with catering occurred or on the company that provided the food and beverages. However, health officials said they contacted anyone who could be exposed and that patients, event organizers and caterers all collaborated in the health department survey.
A case of hepatitis A has been diagnosed in the county of SLO in 2017 and 2018.
For adults and children over the age of six, the signs and symptoms usually begin suddenly and include:
- Fever
- Tired
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Skin or yellow eyes (more than 70% of adults with hepatitis A have this symptom, called jaundice)
- Dark urine or light colored stools
- Diarrhea
- Articular pain
If you have these signs and symptoms, contact your usual health care provider. The public health service actively contacts people who should be particularly alert to signs and symptoms.
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