Hepatitis scare hits eatery

Time is running out for diners who may have been exposed to hepatitis A at Christchurch’s Madam Woo restaurant to get vaccinated.

Health authorities are searching for about 40 walk-in guests who ate at the St Asaph St restaurant on Wednesday, January 15, and Friday, January 17.

A chef with hepatitis A prepared food at the restaurant on both days, but not January 16.

Canterbury medical officer of health Dr Ramon Pink said there was a limited time frame of two weeks in which vaccinations could prevent someone with no previous immunity from developing the disease.

People who dined on January 15 have until January 29 to get vaccinated, and those who dined on January 17 have until this Friday, January 31.

People are considered immune if they have already been vaccinated or have had hepatitis A.

Those diners who are not immune are being offered an urgent hepatitis A vaccination.

The local community and public health team had managed to contact most diners through Madam Woo’s information, but estimated there were about 40 others.

People who ate food from the restaurant – either dine-in or takeaway (including through a food delivery service) – should phone the public health team as soon as possible on 03 364 1777 and ask to speak to a health protection officer.

In a statement on behalf of Madam Woo, a spokeswoman said the 40 people who had yet to be contacted were walk-in guests so they did not have bookings.

‘‘We are distressed to have been made aware of this potential exposure,’’ she said.

The unwell employee arrived at the restaurant unwell and was sent home on sick leave, she said.

Authorities informed Madam Woo of the health risk on Friday – four days before advice was publicly released.

January 15 and 17 were the employee’s rostered days on, she said.

‘‘It is important to stress that these are the only possible days of risk, there is no ongoing risk to anyone who dines at Madam Woo.’’

The restaurant was open as usual for business yesterday.

‘‘We are distressed to have been made aware of this potential exposure.’’

Statement on behalf of Madam Woo