SubscribeHepatitis A attends Ashton Kutcher's B-day party!
Be very glad you were NOT invited to Ashton Kutcher's birthday party!
Seriously.
Because the New York Department of Health would be contacting you tomorrow about getting tested for hepatitis A!
According to WSJ, a bartender at the Feb. 7 birthday bash at Socialista in New York has tested positive for the virus. Attendees at that bash, including Madonna, Kate Hudson, Bruce Willis, Lucy Liu, Liv Tyler, Gwyneth Paltrow, Eric Dane and Rebecca Gayheart, Salma Hayek, Lake Bell, Molly Sims, Amy Smart, Ivanka trump, Parker Posey, Ali Larter, stylist Rachel Zoe, and designer Roberto Cavalli may have been exposed and should be tested.
Shades of last year's Wolfgang Puck hep scare!
All together now, 'Happy hepatitis to you, happy hepatitis to you!"
Click HERE for more terrifying details!
Photos: WireImage
To see the official health department announcement, keep reading.
NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE
Thomas R. Frieden, MD, MPH
Commissioner
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, February 21, 2008
(212) 788-5290
HEALTH DEPARTMENT NOTIFIES PATRONS OF A WEST VILLAGE BAR OF POSSIBLE
EXPOSURE TO HEPATITIS A ON FEB. 7TH, 8TH, AND 11TH
Anyone Who Patronized Socialista Bar during Certain Hours on those Dates
Should Get Hepatitis A Vaccine as a Precautionary Measure
NEW YORK CITY - February 21, 2008 - In response to a case of Hepatitis A
in a bartender at Socialista in Manhattan, the Health Department today
notified patrons of the exposure and urged them to get a hepatitis A
vaccination as a precautionary measure. Hepatitis A is spread by putting
something in one's mouth (even though it might look clean) that has been
contaminated with traces of fecal matter from an infected person. Any
patron who visited the establishment after 8 p.m. on February 7th or
8th, or after 10 p.m. on February 11th (the times the infected person
worked after becoming infectious), is considered to be at risk and needs
a preventive shot.
The bar owners, who are cooperating fully with the Health Department,
estimate that about 700-800 people may have visited on these nights. No
additional cases of illness have been identified.
People can visit their regular doctor to receive this shot. The Health
Department will also offer free vaccinations at P.S. 41 elementary
school at 116 West 11th Street (at 6th Ave.) in Manhattan to patrons at
the following times:
* Friday, February 22, 4 p.m. - 10 p.m.
* Saturday, February 23, 1 p.m. - 8 p.m.
* Sunday, February 24, 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.
People who were exposed but have already received two doses of Hepatitis
A vaccine sometime in their life do not need another shot; all others
should be vaccinated.
"We are asking these bar patrons to get this vaccination as a
precautionary measure," said Dr. Sharon Balter, Medical Epidemiologist
at the Health Department. "If people experience symptoms, they should
see a doctor, but for most people bed rest and avoiding alcohol are all
that is needed to recover. This incident serves as an important reminder
to always wash hands thoroughly and regularly to prevent the spread of
disease."
About Hepatitis
Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by a virus. It is spread from
person to person by putting something in the mouth (even though it might
look clean) that has been contaminated with traces of fecal matter from
an infected person. Most people recover within a few weeks with bed rest
and by avoiding alcoholic beverages. There are no special medicines or
antibiotics that can be used to treat a person once the symptoms appear.
Symptoms include jaundice (yellowing of eyes and skin), fatigue,
abdominal pain, nausea, and diarrhea. While some people who have chronic
liver disease or a weakened immune system could experience more severe
illness and require hospitalization, hepatitis A is very rarely fatal
(fewer than 1% of cases).
In order for the vaccine to be most effective, people who have been
exposed to Hepatitis A should be vaccinated within 14 days. The earlier
the vaccine is given, the more effective it is in preventing the
disease. In general, the vaccine is 80% to 90% effective.
About the Investigation
The Health Department investigates all cases of Hepatitis A in New York
City. Of the 120-150 cases confirmed annually by the Department, fewer
than 10 occur in foodservice workers and the Health Department sends an
inspector to the site to evaluate whether there is a risk to patrons.
The Department was notified of this case on February 19, began the
investigation, and inspected the bar last night. The inspector found
that there was no soap for hand-washing, increasing the risk to patrons
and prompting the precautionary notification. The Health Department is
identifying household and other contacts of this individual, a routine
practice in Hepatitis A investigations.
For more information on Hepatitis A, please see the Health Department's
fact sheet at http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/cd/cdhepa.shtml (also
attached).
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Diseased illegal alien...just like Wolf Gang Puck.
Too cheap to hire an American.
Posted by: Happy boy | February 21, 2008 at 05:32 PM
Ahahahahaa PUNK'D!
Posted by: Rhesusmonkey | February 21, 2008 at 05:42 PM