BURST
A day after issuing a warning of a hepatitis A exposure on the Sunshine Coast, Vancouver Coastal Health has issued a second alert for another potential exposure site.
VCH is notifying people who consumed food at Pepper Creek Pizza & Pasta located at 4330 Sunshine Coast Hwy., Sechelt of a possible exposure to hepatitis A between July 31-Aug. 14 and Aug. 23-29, if they consumed salads from this location. Those who had cooked foods such as pizza, sandwiches or pasta are not at risk of exposure.
The alert comes after a hepatitis A warning related to the Sea Monkey Coffee food truck at Sunday Cider between Aug. 1 and 25 that was issued Thursday.
While the risk of transmission at these sites is low, VCH is still advising anyone who consumed food from either location during those dates to monitor themselves for symptoms of hepatitis A, which can take two to seven weeks to manifest, and last for about two months.
Those symptoms include feeling very tired; nausea or lack of appetite; unintended and unexpected weight loss; pain on the right side of the belly, under the rib cage where the liver is located; fever; sore muscles; jaundiced yellowed skin or eyes; and clay-coloured stools.
A single dose of hepatitis A vaccine can help to prevent infection if given within two weeks of exposure. VCH recommends anyone who ate salads at either Pepper Creek Pizza or Sea Monkey Coffee during the noted dates get the shot as soon as possible.
If symptoms develop, it’s important to seek medical attention. In most cases, the infection goes away on its own and does not lead to long-term liver problems. In rare cases, it can be more serious.
The hepatitis A vaccine is free and available for those who are eligible at clinics and pharmacies throughout the VCH region.
A current list of locations — as well as information about causes, tests, treatments and prevention —can be found at vch.ca .
Those who are outside the VCH region should check with a local pharmacy about vaccine availability or contact their local Public Health unit.
Those who have previously been infected with hepatitis A or those who received two doses of hepatitis A vaccine before the exposure event are considered protected.
Individuals who are concerned they may have been exposed and have questions can call 811 or speak to their primary care provider.