The Multnomah County Health Department has investigated two confirmed cases of hepatitis A in restaurant workers at two Cup & Saucer Cafes in Portland.
People who ate or drank at the Cup and Saucer Café at 8237 N. Denver between February 22 and March 21, or at the 3566 SE Hawthorne location on March 22 or March 25 should contact their provider if they have any symptoms of Hepatitis A (see below). The Cup & Saucer Cafe at 3000 N.E. Killingsworth was not involved.
Hepatitis A is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. It typically causes a temporary illness of fever, tiredness, belly pain, vomiting, diarrhea and jaundice (a yellowing of the skin or eyes). It is highly contagious, and people become infected by swallowing the virus, which is present in the feces of an ill person. It can spread from person to person by inadequate handwashing after using the toilet or changing diapers, or eating food prepared by an infected person. It can also be passed by sexual contact. Hepatitis A is not spread by saliva.
A person can spread the disease without realizing it. People can be infected by as few as 10 tiny particles. A person with hepatitis A may also spread the disease up to two weeks before they become ill with symptoms. It can take 15 to 50 days before a person who has been exposed becomes ill. While there is no specific treatment, less than 1 percent of people become seriously ill.
No additional cases linked to the Cup and Saucer Cafes have been reported to date, but the Health Department will continue to monitor the situation through the full 50 days from the last possible exposure.
“We still consider the risk in this case to be relatively low,” said Dr. Jennifer Vines, Multnomah County Deputy Health Officer. “However, it is important to be aware of symptoms in order to protect your friends and family.”
Vaccinations can prevent illness
The best way to prevent hepatitis A is by getting vaccinated. Also, people who have been sick with hepatitis A in the past are protected for life. Hepatitis A is now a required vaccine for Oregon children up to eighth grade, so if your school-age child is in this grade or a lower grade and is up-to-date on vaccines, he or she is protected. Also, people who served in the United States military should have received Hepatitis A vaccine, and should be protected.
The current investigation began with a case of hepatitis A reported to the Health Department on March 20. The restaurant worker stayed home from work to recover, and health officials vaccinated the restaurant staff according to public health guidelines. On Monday, April 3, a second individual connected to the cafe was confirmed as having hepatitis A. Because of possible transmission at the restaurant, health officials urge anyone who ate or drank at the two restaurants during the time frames above to contact their health care provider immediately if they think they have symptoms of hepatitis A. Symptoms can show up as much as 7 weeks after eating or drinking food containing the virus.
The owner, managers and staff of the Cup & Saucer Cafe have been proactive in working with Multnomah County Health Department environmental health inspectors, and are working diligently to ensure a safe establishment for patrons and workers.
To learn more
Additional general information about hepatitis A is on the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention page.