Most British Columbians consider hepatitis A a “travellers’ disease,” but a local expert is warning that the majority of cases come from our own backyard.
According to a survey by the Canadian Liver Foundation, 71 per cent of people in B.C. trust “reputable” restaurants.
Jo-Ann Ford, chair of the Canadian Liver Foundation, says this creates a false sense of security.
“You could be at a lovely restaurant and the person who prepared your salad might not have washed his hands when he used the washroom,” she said.
In 2004, the bar manager at My Martini Place, a popular Kelowna restaurant, tested positive for the viral disease and may have exposed as many as 900 people.
In 2002, a food handler at a West Vancouver Capers health food store tested positive for hepatitis A, prompting around 4,000 people to receive vaccinations.
