South Eastern Sydney Local Health District today issued a health warning to patrons of a food outlet in the Sydney CBD following the diagnosis of Hepatitis A in a food preparation employee.

Public Health Director at South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Professor Mark Ferson advised that people who ate food from Sumo Salad in Westpac Place, Kent Street, Sydney between Thursday 19 July and Thursday 26 July may need to receive a hepatitis A vaccine.

Patrons who ate food from the Sumo Salad from Wednesday 11 July to Wednesday 18 July are still at risk of hepatitis, but as the vaccine is only effective within 2 weeks of exposure, these people are not recommended to have vaccine, but should visit their GP if they develop symptoms.

Although the risk of infection to patrons is probably low, as a precaution a clinic providing a free hepatitis A vaccine will be available at Sydney Hospital, Macquarie Street Sydney. The clinic will also provide customers of Sumo Salad with an opportunity to speak to a nurse about possible exposure and any potential health risk.

The clinic will be open between 3pm and 7pm on Thursday, 2 August 2012 at Sydney Hospital’s general outpatient department, north block, entrance from Macquarie Street.

“Hepatitis A is a viral infection of the liver. The virus is spread by the faecal-oral route, including contaminated food or water or direct contact with an infected person,” Professor Ferson said.

Hepatitis A symptoms develop two to seven weeks after infection and include fever, feeling unwell, poor appetite, abdominal discomfort, jaundice (which is yellowing of the skin and eyes) and dark urine.

“There is no specific treatment for hepatitis A but the illness resolves after several days or weeks."

Professor Ferson said while a safe and effective vaccine is available against hepatitis A, it only prevents infection if given within 2 weeks of exposure. It will not protect those people who were exposed to the virus more than 2 weeks prior to vaccination.

“We urge anyone who may have been exposed to these food products to receive a Hepatitis A vaccination as quickly as possible to develop some protection from developing the infection,” he said.

”People who have already received hepatitis A vaccine or have had the disease would already be immune and will not need an injection.”

People can also contact the NSW Health Information Line 1300 066 055 for more information during business hours.

Further information is available at Hepatitis A.