Hepatitis A reported at Buffalo Wild Wings in LA County, customers told to get vaccinated

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is investigating a case of Hepatitis A at a Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant in Monterey Park, the department announced Wednesday.

Public health officials have told customers who visited the restaurant between Nov. 13 and Nov. 22 to get vaccinated for Hepatitis A, a liver infection caused by the highly contagious Hepatitis A virus. It usually carries more mild symptoms of fever, vomiting and diarrhea, but in some rare cases, can lead to liver failure or even death, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some people who are infected may experience no symptoms but still spread the viral infection.

It can be transferred through sexual relations, "close person-to-person contact" with someone who's been infected and consumption of food and water that's been contaminated, the CDC says. LA County health officials reported the infection at the Buffalo Wild Wings in Monterey Park, located at 4000 Market Place, because an employee there was infected this month.

"Based on the employee's job duties and symptoms while at work, Public Health is recommending that patrons who consumed food or beverages from Buffalo Wild Wings in Monterey Park between November 13, 2024, and November 22, 2024, receive hepatitis A vaccine if they are not already immune to it..." the health department said in a statement Wednesday.

CBS News Los Angeles has reached out to Buffalo Wild Wings in regards to the reported infection. 

Health officials have also advised that customers who visited during that time get tested for Hepatitis A if they experience the following symptoms: fatigue, fever, nausea, weakness, loss of appetite, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), dark urine and pale stools.  

Those who had a prior Hepatitis A infection, but have not been vaccinated, are still being told by health officials to get the vaccine. 

"Receiving the vaccination as soon as possible after exposure (ideally within 14 days) could help reduce the risk of developing hepatitis A infection," reads the LA County Health Department statement. "Residents should contact their local pharmacy or medical provider for the vaccine. Public Health is working with the restaurant to ensure employees that are not immune receive vaccination."

The health department reported the first LA County case of Hepatitis A this year in mid-March, with at least five infections surfacing in the following two months and later cases being reported at a Little Tokyo restaurant and a Whole Foods store in Beverly Hills.