AMERICAN LIVER FOUNDATION APPLAUDS WOLFGANG PUCK AND LACDHS

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AMERICAN LIVER FOUNDATION APPLAUDS WOLFGANG PUCK AND LACDHSFOR RAPID RESPONSE TO HEPATITIS A EXPOSURE

LOS ANGELES, February 28, 2007 – The American Liver Foundation (ALF) commends Wolfgang Puck and the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (LACDHS) for their rapid response to a report earlier today that an employee at the Wolfgang Puck Catering facility in Hollywood has been diagnosed with acute hepatitis A.

According to LACDHS, patrons who ate uncooked food provided by Wolfgang Puck Catering at four events between February 14 and February 20 are being contacted. It is recommended that these patrons receive a prophylactic dose of immune globulin (IG), although the risk that any of these individuals contracted hepatitis A is quite low.

"There is a 14-day window after hepatitis A exposure during which immune globulin can be given to prevent illness. Therefore, it is critical that all individuals at risk be contacted as quickly as possible," said lin, Executive Director of the ALF Greater Los Angeles Chapter. There is no risk to any person who ate food prepared by Wolfgang Puck Catering after February 20.

The largest of the four events was the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue Party on February 14 at the Pacific Design Center, located at 8687 Melrose Avenue West Hollywood, California 90069. It is recommended that individuals who attended this party and ate uncooked food there should receive immune globulin today, or as soon as possible, to prevent the development of acute hepatitis A.

Some important facts about hepatitis A:

• It is one of five known viruses that cause inflammation of the liver. (The others are hepatitis B, C, D, and E.) • Hepatitis A is diagnosed by a blood test. • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that a third of the U.S. population becomes infected with hepatitis A during their lifetime.

Contact: lin, Executive Director Greater Los Angeles Chapter 310-670-4624 sfranklin@... www.liverfoundation.org

• The symptoms of hepatitis A are usually mild and do not require medicaltreatment.• Most people recover from hepatitis A within six months without any lasting health problems; however, a small number of people may take longer to fully recover. • Once you have recovered from hepatitis A, you cannot get it again. • Although hepatitis A does not cause long-term or chronic infection, a small percentage of people infected with the disease risk serious complications. This includes people with other liver diseases and the elderly. • It is estimated that hepatitis A is the primary cause of death for about 100 people each year. • Hepatitis A is usually transmitted through drinking water or eating food that has been contaminated with fecal matter containing the virus. • As with the other hepatitis viruses, a person infected with hepatitis A may not have any symptoms. Common symptoms include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, pain in the liver area, fever, and jaundice. • There is no specific treatment for hepatitis A. Most patients are advised to rest for up to five weeks, avoid alcohol and any drugs not approved by their doctor, and consume a balanced diet with plenty of fluids. • People who have come into contact with hepatitis A can be given temporary immunization with immune globulin within two weeks of exposure. • Vaccination is the best way to prevent hepatitis A. The hepatitis A vaccine is given in two doses, usually about six months apart. • Vaccination is recommended for all children age one and older, and also for people traveling to regions with poor sanitation or where hepatitis A is common. For more information about liver disease and hepatitis, contact the American Liver Foundation’s National Helpline at 1-800-GO-LIVER or visit our Web site at www.liverfoundation.org. The Greater Los Angeles Chapter is located at 5777 Century Blvd, Suite 865 and can be reached at 1-310-670-4624.

The American Liver Foundation (ALF) is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization promoting liver health and disease prevention. ALF provides research, education, and advocacy for those affected by liver-related diseases, including hepatitis.

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