According to the Norway Institute of Public Health (FHI), 22 cases of hepatitis A have been reported linked to food served at the Frognerseteren cafe and restaurant in Oslo through August 7.
12 cases have been confirmed by sequencing at FHI's national reference laboratory.
The patients were sampled between 10 July and 5 August and reside in Oslo ( 16 ), Akershus ( 4 ), Vestland ( 1 ) and Innlandet ( 1 ).
People who have eaten food prepared at Frognerseteren 14 days ago or less are now being offered hepatitis A vaccination by the municipalities.
FHI recommends that people who have eaten food prepared at Frognerseteren from mid-June to August 2, and who develop symptoms of hepatitis A, contact local health services, such as a GP, for assessment and possible sampling.
The Norwegian Institute for Public Health recommends that people who have eaten food prepared and served at Frognerseteren 14 days ago or less, and who have not become ill, be offered free hepatitis A vaccination at the local health service, such as the GP, where they live or are staying.
Vaccination is not necessary if you have only drunk coffee/tea/soda/water or similar, or eaten food that was not prepared at the restaurant, such as chocolate or similar.
Hepatitis A and the Hep A vaccine
Hepatitis A is a viral disease that can cause inflammation of the liver. Symptoms range from mild to more severe and include fever, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dark urine, light stools, stomach pain, and yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice). Diarrhea is rare. Some people who become infected do not develop symptoms, especially children.
The disease usually resolves on its own, but some people may need treatment and follow-up in the health service. The time from exposure to becoming ill (incubation period) is usually four weeks, but can vary from two to six weeks. The virus is found in the stool. Infection usually occurs after consuming contaminated food (food and water), but can also be transmitted from person to person through close contact. Good hand hygiene after using the toilet and before meals is important to prevent infection.