Hepatitis A Case Confirmed at Downtown Toronto Earls Restaurant: Patrons Urged to Get Vaccinated

Toronto Public Health (TPH) has issued a warning about potential Hepatitis A exposure at an Earls Kitchen + Bar in downtown Toronto following a confirmed case in an employee.

The confirmed case was identified at the downtown location on 601 King St. W.

Exposures may have occurred between Friday, July 11 and Saturday, July 12, and Tuesday, July 15 and Wednesday, July 16, according to TPH.

Individuals who may have been exposed are advised to get vaccinated promptly.

TPH will hold a free Hepatitis A vaccine clinic at Metro Hall on Friday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. for those who may have been exposed.

The vaccine is most effective when taken within 14 days of exposure.

Hepatitis A is transmitted through fecal-to-oral route and is found in the stool of an infected person.

TPH mentions that contaminated food handled by infected individuals is a common source of Hepatitis A.

Hepatitis A is a virus that can lead to liver damage, with symptoms lasting from a few days to months, including fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and dark urine, as per TPH.

Symptoms can appear within 15 to 50 days of exposure, and some infected individuals may be asymptomatic.

The restaurant, in a statement to Now Toronto, urges patrons who visited during the specified dates to consult their healthcare provider.

TPH states that most Hepatitis A cases recover fully and gain lifelong immunity, with fatalities being rare.

Aside from watching for symptoms, TPH advises frequent handwashing, especially after using the restroom, and refraining from handling or preparing food while ill to prevent Hepatitis A.