Hepatitis Visits Hawaii

The Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) has been notified that imported frozen raw tuna or ahi cubes distributed by Tropic Fish Hawaii, LLC on Oahu have tested positive for hepatitis A.

The product, imported from Indonesia, was sold between April 27 – May 1 by food establishments on Oahu.

The imported frozen fish was used to prepare poke sold at Times Supermarket and Shima’s locations in Aiea, Kailua, Kaneohe, Kunia, Liliha, Mililani, Waipahu, and Waimanalo.

The product was also used to prepare food served or sold by GP Hawaiian Food Catering, the Crab Shack Kapolei (also known as Maile Sunset Bar & Grill in Kapolei), Aloha Sushi at 3131 N. Nimitz, and the ABC store at 205 Lewers St..

“Times Supermarket and Tropic Fish notified the department as soon as they learned of the test results on the imported fish,” said Peter Oshiro, chief of the DOH Food Safety Program. “All of the product is being traced, collected and held by the distributor. Fortunately, in this case, Tropic Fish Hawaii kept excellent records and has been contacting all retailers and pulling the product quickly.”

The DOH is advising anyone who consumed the product and are not vaccinated for hepatitis A to consult with their doctor or pharmacist about vaccine options.

The hepatitis A vaccine is the best way to protect people from getting hepatitis A.

“Because it generally takes two weeks for those infected to develop symptoms of hepatitis A, vaccination or immune globulin can still provide some protection against the disease for those who may have been exposed in the last week,” said Dr. Sarah Park, state epidemiologist. “We remind those who received their first dose of hepatitis A vaccination during an earlier outbreak on Oahu to obtain their second dose for long term immunity.”

CVS Health is advising Hawaiians to get a hepatitis A vaccine. Longs Drugs stores as well as the CVS's MinuteClinic have hepatitis A vaccines on-hand

"Immunizations are an important part of preventive care and a critical way to prevent the spread of serious illness, like hepatitis A," said Dr. Tobias Barker, Chief Medical Officer of MinuteClinic.  "Our Longs Drugs pharmacists and MinuteClinic nurse practitioners are able to provide vaccinations to Hawaiians who may have been exposed to the virus. They can also help ensure that patients stay up to date on vaccinations in the future."

The hepatitis A vaccine may provide protection against the disease if given within two weeks after exposure. People who have had hepatitis A or have received two doses of the hepatitis A vaccine do not need to get another hepatitis A vaccine.

Symptoms of hepatitis A infection usually appear 2-6 weeks after exposure. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, abdominal discomfort, dark urine, diarrhea, and yellow skin and eyes.

Hepatitis A can be prevented by receiving two doses of the vaccine with 6 months between shots.  

The CDC current vaccine contract prices can be found here.