Clinician Alert: potential Hepatitis A exposure at Cup & Saucer restaurants

April 4, 2017

Multnomah County Public Health officials are notifying the public of potential exposure to Hepatitis A at two Cup & Saucer restaurant locations in Portland. The overall risk to the public is considered relatively low.

People who ate or drank at the following restaurant locations on the days listed may be at risk and may be eligible for vaccine or immune globulin:

People who ate or drank at the N. Denver location between February 22 and March 21 may have been exposed and should be evaluated for Hepatitis A if they present with compatible symptoms.

Anyone who is NOT immune to Hepatitis A and whose last visit to either restaurant was on a date listed above and less than 14 days ago can lower their risk of Hepatitis A via vaccination. Patients ages 1 to 40 should get a single antigen Hepatitis A vaccine. Twinrix may NOT be used as post-exposure protection (PEP).

Patients younger than one year or older than 40 should get a single dose of immune globulin 0.02 mL/kg IM.

If immune globulin is not available it is safe to give Hepatitis A vaccine to someone over 40, and it may prevent illness.

If vaccination history cannot be documented for an exposed person, we recommend vaccination of persons 1–40 years of age and immune globulin for others.

Individuals are immune to hepatitis A if they:

  • have a documented history of Hepatitis A
  • have received two doses of hepatitis A vaccine.*

All exposed persons should be advised to watch for signs and symptoms of hepatitis A for up to 50 days after exposure.

About Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a viral disease of the liver that is highly contagious via the fecal oral route. It is spread from person to person, often by inadequate handwashing after using the toilet or changing diapers, or eating food prepared by an infected person. Typical symptoms include fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or jaundice.

Infections range from mild to fulminant hepatitis. Children under 5 years old are often asymptomatic. Symptoms usually develop 3–4 weeks after exposure, but the incubation period can range from 10–50 days. There is no form of chronic hepatitis A infection.

For more information about Hepatitis A:https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hav/. For updates on the investigation and public health recommendations visit multco.us

*Note that the ALERT immunization information system will be unavailable because of a required technology upgrade from Friday April 7 at 7 pm through Sunday April 9 at 6 pm).

Please report suspected cases of Hepatitis A to the county public health department of the patient's residence listed below:

  • Clackamas County Public Health: 503-655-8411
  • Multnomah County Public Health: 503-988-3406      
  • Washington County Public Health: 503-846-3594