In late September of 2013, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene announced that a hepatitis A outbreak had been traced to the New Hawaii Sea Restaurant in the Bronx after learning that one employee and four patrons of the restaurant had fallen ill with hepatitis A infections.
According to health officials, customers who ate food from New Hawaii Sea Restaurant in the Bronx (located at 1475 Williamsbridge Road) between September 7 and September 19, 2013 were at risk for developing hepatitis A. All patrons who were eligible to receive hepatitis A vaccination or immune globulin injections (those who had eaten at the restaurant within two weeks of the announcement) were encouraged to receive prophylactic treatment to prevent infection.
After exposure, immune globulin (IG) is 80% to 90% effective in preventing clinical hepatitis A when administered within 2 weeks of last exposure. Although efficacy is greatest when IG is administered early in the incubation period, when administered later, IG is still likely to make the symptoms less severe.