Los Angeles County health officials are investigating an employee at a Whole Foods Market in Beverly Hills who contracted hepatitis A and are warning people of possible exposure to the highly contagious liver infection.
Officials warned that anyone who purchased products from the Crescent Drive grocery store’s seafood counter between April 20 and May 13 could be affected and urged those who are not yet immune to hepatitis A to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
The virus has also recently been identified among the county’s homeless population.
Hepatitis A is found in the feces and blood of infected people and can spread among people even before symptoms such as fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dark urine, and yellowing of the eyes and skin appear.
“Getting vaccinated as soon as possible after exposure may help reduce the risk of contracting hepatitis A,” the county public health department said in a statement. “Residents should contact their local pharmacy or health care provider to obtain the vaccine.”
Whole Foods Market said it is working closely with the department.
“The diagnosed team member is unable to work, and we are not aware of anyone else who is also sick,” the company said in a statement. “While our stores have strict food safety procedures in place, we encourage anyone who thinks they may have been exposed People who have eaten food should follow health department guidance.”
While no other infections linked to Whole Foods have been reported, county health officials said this week that they have identified five cases of hepatitis A among homeless people since March.
Officials said the risk to the public is “low” but urged anyone who may have been exposed to check if they have been vaccinated.
Officials say homeless people are at higher risk of contracting the virus due to reduced access to handwashing and restroom facilities.
The last known outbreak of hepatitis A in California occurred between 2016 and 2018 and involved people who were homeless or using drugs in settings with limited sanitation. In San Diego, where there was also a hepatitis A outbreak in 2017, health officials reported an increase in cases among homeless people last year.
Times staff writer Reuben Vives contributed to this report.
