Wolfgang Puck Employee May Have Exposed Guests to Hepatitis A

LOS ANGELES, February 28, 2007 -- An employee of Wolfgang Puck Catering diagnosed with the hepatitis A virus may have exposed guests at several events, including Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue party, health officials said.

Officials say the employee helped prepare food at four events between February 14th and February 20th, including the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue party at the Pacific Design Center on Valentine's Day.

The risk of illness was "quite low," but who ate uncooked food at that event is advised to get an immune globulin shot by Wednesday to prevent development of acute hepatis A., the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said Tuesday.

The virus is found in the feces of infected people and can be spread through contaminated food and water. It attacks the liver and can cause jaundice, fatigue, fever, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea. It is rarely fatal.

The affected employee was placed on medical leave, said Carl Schuster, president of Wolfgang Puck Catering.

"We immediately worked to take every precaution to further safeguard our patrons and other employees," Schuster said in a statement.

Sports Illustrated said in a statement that it was taking the situation very seriously and was working directly with county health authorities.

"We are alerting our guests and staff as quickly as possible to ensure they receive the relevant health warnings," the statement said.

Wolfgang Puck's restaurants, Express Cafes and prepackaged foods were not affected, nor were any parties after Feb. 20, including Sunday's post-Oscars Governors Ball.

The Department of Public Health have opened clinics to provide immune globulin to patrons who may not be able to receive it from their physician. Here's a list of the clinics:

Antelope Valley Public Health Center
335-B East Avenue K-6
Lancaster, CA 93535
(661) 723-4624

Central Public Health Center
241 N. Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 240-8204

Curtis-Tucker Public Health Center
123 W. Manchester Blvd.
Inglewood, CA 90301
(310) 419-5325

Glendale Public Health Center
501 N. Glendale Avenue
Glendale, CA 91206
(818) 500-5760

Hollywood/Wilshire Public Health Center
5205 Melrose Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 769-7800

Monrovia Public Health Center
330 W. Maple Avenue
Monrovia, CA 91016
(626) 256-1600

Pacoima Public Health Center
13300 Van Nuys Blvd.
Pacoima, CA 91331
(818) 896-1903

Pomona Public Health Center
750 S. Park Avenue
Pomona, CA 91766
(909) 868-0235

South Public Health Center
1522 E. 102nd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90002
(323) 563-4053

Torrance Public Health Center
711 Del Amo Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90502
(310) 354-2300

Whittier Public Health Center
7643 S. Painter Avenue
Whittier, CA 90602
(562) 464-5350

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