LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – The Florida Department of Health in Orange County (DOH-Orange) says they have identified hepatitis A infection in a food service worker at the Morimoto Asia restaurant, located at Disney Springs.
Concerned Morimoto Asia customers can leave their information and a call-back number at 877-404-3821.
Persons who consumed any food or beverage at this restaurant from Nov. 6 to 16 may have been exposed to the hepatitis A virus. Health officials are urging diners to immediately get vaccinated.
Restaurant officials released a statement about the incident.
“The health, well-being and safety of our guests and employees is our top priority. We are working closely with the health department to ensure the restaurant follows all recommended procedures to protect our guests and employees. For additional information about this notice, please contact the Department of Health Orange County Epidemiology Program at 407-858-1420,” officials said.
Patrons should monitor for symptoms of hepatitis A infection, which include sudden onset of abdominal discomfort, dark urine, fever, diarrhea and yellow skin and eyes (jaundice). Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek medical attention promptly.
Hepatitis A vaccine or immune globulin may provide protection against the disease if given within two weeks of exposure.
Therefore, those who consumed food or beverage at the restaurant between Nov. 6 and 19 should promptly contact their health care providers to receive vaccination.
People who have had hepatitis A disease or previously received two doses of hepatitis A vaccine do not need to be immunized for hepatitis A again.
DOH-Orange is also offering the hepatitis A vaccine for free to uninsured Orange County residents at the following locations by appointment only:
- 6101 Lake Ellenor Dr., Orlando, FL 32809 (for ages 19 and older only) (407) 723-5054
- 832 W. Central Blvd., Orlando, FL 32805 (407) 858-1444
Orange County has seen an increase in hepatitis A cases since June 2018.
Currently, the number of cases of locally-transmitted hepatitis A infections in Orange County is almost 5,000 percent greater than the previous five-year average of 1.4 cases per year.
For additional information about this notice, please contact the DOH-Orange Epidemiology Program at 407-858-1420.