Confirmed hepatitis A case in food handler in the Calgary area prompts public alert

CALGARY – Alberta Health Services (AHS) has confirmed a case of hepatitis A in an individual who prepared food at Meltwich Kensington, 405, 10 Street NW, Calgary, while infectious.

Individuals who consumed food or drink from the restaurant from February 2 through February 19, 2025, may have been exposed to hepatitis A.

Those who ate at the restaurant from February 6 to February 19, 2025 may be eligible for post-exposure immunization and should call Health Link at 1-866-301-2668 for assessment of exposure and risk. Immunization clinics will be scheduled in Calgary for eligible individuals.

Post-exposure immunization can only be provided within 14 days after an exposure and can prevent illness from occurring. The single dose of vaccine provided at the clinic is sufficient to protect a potentially affected individual from this hepatitis A exposure.

Those who ate at the restaurant from February 2 to February
Those who ate at this restaurant between February 2 and 5, 2025 are no longer eligible for post-exposure immunization. These individuals should watch for symptoms of disease for 50 days after potential exposure and contact their physician if they develop any symptoms.

Those who ate at the restaurant from February 6 to February 19
Please see chart below for the last date to receive post exposure immunization based on the date food or drink from Meltwich was consumed.

If post exposure immunization is not received, individuals should watch for symptoms of disease for 50 days after potential exposure and contact their physician if they develop any symptoms.

Symptoms of hepatitis A may include: tiredness; poor appetite; nausea and vomiting; abdominal pain and fever; followed by dark-coloured urine, light-coloured stools, and yellowing of eyes and skin several days later. Some people, especially young children, may get hepatitis A infection without noticing any symptoms; however, they are still infectious to others.

Hepatitis A is an infection of the liver caused by a virus. Spread through the fecal-oral route, individuals primarily contract hepatitis A through direct contact with an infected person; however, individuals can also contract the illness indirectly by ingestion of contaminated food or water.

If an infected individual does not properly wash their hands after using the washroom, the virus can be transmitted through food and beverages prepared by the infected individual.

Alberta Health Services provides a range of healthcare services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Our mission is to provide excellent, patient-focused healthcare that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans. Our current focus is on reducing emergency department wait times, improving EMS response times, increasing access to surgeries, and improving patient flow.