More than 20 people have been infected with the hepatitis A virus after eating at a restaurant in Norway.
So far, 22 cases have been linked to the food service at Frognerseteren restaurant in Oslo. Frognerseteren decided to close on Aug. 2 and has promised to review and strengthen hygiene and food safety routines.
The Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI) said 12 cases have been confirmed through sequencing at the National Reference Laboratory. Patients either dined at or work in the restaurant.
Food handler link
Affected individuals were tested between July 10 and Aug. 5. Sixteen live in Oslo, four in Akershus, and one each in Vestland and Innlandet. For patients with available information, five are women and two are men aged 16 to 84. They all have an identical genotype IA strain.
One case is a food handler at the restaurant, and another employee with symptoms has been tested.
“There have been many visitors at Frognerseteren during the relevant period, and we see that the outbreak now involves individuals in various parts of the country,” said Siri Feruglio, senior medical officer and department director at FHI.
The outbreak was being managed by the Oslo municipality and Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet) with assistance from FHI. However, now patients have been reported across the country, FHI will take over coordination of the incident.
FHI recommends that people who have eaten food prepared at Frognerseteren from mid-June to Aug. 2 and who develop symptoms of hepatitis A should contact local health services for assessment and possible testing.
A vaccine given within 14 days after possible exposure can help prevent illness. Individuals who have dined at the restaurant and who are previously fully vaccinated or have had the disease in the past do not need vaccination.
Restaurant’s response
In a statement on behalf of the restaurant, Bjørn Richard Johansen said the outlet is working with health authorities in Oslo and the Norwegian Food Safety Authority.
“The restaurant owner wants to be open about this situation and would like to emphasize that the company takes this very seriously. By working closely with the Norwegian Food Safety Authority and the municipal health service, we ensure proper handling, and we follow all advice and orders from the authorities.”
Stig Furuseth, restaurant owner, said: “In my more than 30 years in the industry, I have never experienced anything like this. Our highest priority is always to follow the authorities’ requirements and procedures. The safety of our guests and employees is always the most important thing.”
Hepatitis A is a virus that can cause a liver infection. Symptoms can last a few days to several months. Most people who are infected recover completely and develop lifetime immunity.
Symptoms can begin 15 to 50 days after becoming infected. They range from mild to severe and include an abrupt onset of fever, fatigue, poor appetite, nausea, stomach pain, dark-colored urine and jaundice (a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes).
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