Vancouver Coastal Health has issued a warning about a potential Hepatitis A exposure at the McDonald’s Restaurant at 3695 Lougheed Highway in Vancouver, British Columbia: https://www.vch.ca/en/press-release/hepatitis-notification-mcdonalds-restaurant-3695-lougheed-hwy-vancouver.
The potential exposure occurred at various times on the following dates: April 19, 2023; April 21, 2023; April 23, 2023; April 26-April 30, 2023; May 2, 2023; May 4, 2023; and May 8-May 9, 2023.
Though the risk of infection is low, Vancouver Coastal Health is advising anyone who ate at this restaurant during this exposure window to keep an eye out for signs of a Hepatitis A infection.
Symptoms of Hepatitis A usually present within two to seven weeks of exposure and include:
- Feeling tired or lethargic
- Feeling sick and a lack of appetite
- Losing weight rapidly
- Pain under your rib cage where your liver is located
- Fever
- Sore and achy muscles
- Jaundice
It is crucial to see your doctor if you are experiencing symptoms associated with Hepatitis A. While the infection typically resolves on its own, there have been documented cases where the infection can lead to serious side effects, such as liver failure, myocarditis, paralysis and death.
If administered within two weeks after exposure, one dose of the Hepatitis A vaccination can aid in preventing infection. Therefore, Vancouver Coastal Health recommends that anyone who dined at the Mcdonalds restaurant located at 3695 Lougheed Highway during the dates and times noted in the link above be immunized with the Hepatitis A vaccine. Free doses of this vaccine are available at public health clinics and pharmacies throughout Vancouver.
A list of locations currently offering this vaccine is accessible here: https://immunization.janeapp.com/.
