The restaurant linked to a hepatitis A outbreak in Norway has reopened.
The Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI) said there are 38 patients with probable connection to the outbreak, of which 27 have been confirmed by genomic sequencing.
Patients were tested between July 10 and Aug. 14. Twenty-five live in Oslo, 11 in Akershus, and one each in Vestland and Innlandet.
For patients with available information, cases are aged between 16 and 84. They have an identical genotype IA strain. One case was a food handler at the restaurant.
The outbreak was initially managed by the Oslo municipality and Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet) with assistance from FHI. However, when patients were reported from across the country, FHI took over coordination of the incident. Officials with the Norwegian Food Safety Authority are interviewing patients to try and find the source of infection.
Vaccination of staff
Frognerseteren café and restaurant in Oslo said all employees have been vaccinated and the site had undergone infection control measures including disinfection of the premises. The outlet has also reinforced food safety routines and rectified issues found by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority.
Frognerseteren decided to close on Aug. 2 and reopened its doors on Aug. 14.
Stig Furuseth, restaurant owner, said it had been a demanding time, but the period was used to ensure eating at Frognerseteren was even safer than before.
“When something like this happens, we just have to deal with it. We have learned a lot along the way in connection with this case. It has been crucial for us to now be able to open again with complete security.”
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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