Visitors at Frognerseteren cafe and restaurant will be offered vaccination against hepatitis A
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So far, 22 cases of hepatitis A linked to the food service at Frognerseteren cafe and restaurant in Oslo have been notified to FHI. Persons who have consumed food prepared at Frognerseteren within the last 14 days or less are now offered hepatitis A vaccination by local health services. Vaccination can help preventing illness for persons who have been exposed to the virus.
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Go to the home pageThe Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH) has been notified about 22 cases likely linked to the outbreak at Frognerseteren, of which 12 cases have been confirmed through sequencing at the National Reference Laboratory at NIPH. The affected individuals were tested between July 10 and August 5 and reside in Oslo (16), Akershus (4), Vestland (1), and Innlandet (1).
“There have been many visitors at Frognerseteren during the relevant period, and we see that the outbreak now involves individuals in various parts of the country”, says Siri Feruglio, Senior Medical Officer and Department Director at NIPH.
NIPH coordinates the outbreak investigation
The outbreak has so far been managed by Oslo municipality and the Food Safety Authority with assistance from NIPH. Frognerseteren decided to close for visitors on August 2. The outbreak now involves individuals from various parts of the country, and thus, NIPH will take over the coordination of the outbreak investigation. The outbreak investigation will continue in close collaboration with Oslo municipality, the Food Safety Authority, and affected municipalities.
Advice for individuals who develop symptoms
NIPH recommends that individuals who have eaten food prepared at Frognerseteren from mid-June to August 2 and who develop symptoms of hepatitis A should contact local health services, such as their general practitioner, for assessment and possible testing.
Infected persons and close contacts are followed up in the municipalities. NIPH will contact the municipal medical officer if we are notified about new hepatitis A cases in the municipality.
Offered vaccination for individuals without symptoms
NIPH recommends that individuals who have eaten food prepared and served at Frognerseteren within the last 14 days or less, and who have not become ill, are offered free hepatitis A vaccination by local health services, such as their general practitioner, where they live or stay.
For people staying in Oslo, Nydalen Vaccination Centre offers drop-in vaccinations from Friday afternoon. Visit oslo.kommune.no for opening hours and more details.Vaccination is not necessary for persons who have only consumed beverages (coffee/tea/soda/water, etc.) or food not prepared at the restaurant, such as chocolate, or similar items.
“Based on updated information during the outbreak, NIPH assesses that preventive vaccination will be an effective and targeted measure to curb the development of the outbreak”, says Feruglio.
A vaccine given within 14 days after possible exposure can help prevent illness. Individuals who have dined at the restaurant and who are previously fully vaccinated (e.g., related to travel) or have previously had the disease do not need vaccination.
About Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a viral disease that can cause liver inflammation. Symptoms vary from mild to more severe and include fever, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dark urine, pale stools, abdominal pain, and yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice). Diarrhea is rare. Some individuals who become infected do not develop symptoms, this is particularly common among children.
The disease usually resolves on its own, but some may require treatment and follow-up in health services. The time from exposure to becoming ill (incubation period) is usually four weeks but can vary from two to six weeks. The virus is found in feces. Transmission usually occurs after consumption of contaminated food or water, but can also spread from person to person through close contact. Good hand hygiene after toilet visits and before meals is important to prevent transmission.
More information on hepatitis A and hepatitis A vaccine is available on Helsenorge (in Norwegian only).