Health officials are urging vaccinations for up to 450 people who may have recently eaten dessert at a swanky West Village restaurant after a pastry chef was found to be sick with Hepatitis A.
The chef at Alta, a Mediterranean bistro on W. 10th Street, apparently picked up the virus while traveling in Mexico and didn’t realize she was sick until she had been working for nearly two weeks, DNAinfo reported.
Any diner who had dessert between the dates of March 23 and April 2 is considered at risk and should consider getting vaccinated as a precaution, Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley said in a statement.
“If people experience symptoms, they should see a doctor immediately,” Farley said. “This incident serves as an important reminder to always wash your hands thoroughly to prevent the spread of disease.”
Hepatitis A, which targets the liver, is highly infectious but most people who contract it recover completely, according to the Mayo Clinic.
