Montrealers who have consumed sushi sold in a Provigo grocery store in the Notre-Dame-de-Grâce sector may have been exposed to the hepatitis A virus, the Montreal Regional Public Health Department (DRSP) warned on Friday.
Customers of Provigo located at 6600 rue Saint-Jacques Ouest, in Montreal, who bought sushi between November 17 and 20, as well as November 24 and 25 are affected by this warning.
The Montreal DRSP considers that the “risk of transmission is low”, and that “for people who have been adequately vaccinated against hepatitis A or who have had the disease in the past, the consumption of sushi does not represent a risk”, can we read in a press release.
However, the organization recommends that people who have not been vaccinated against this disease to quickly contact Info-Santé at 811, in order to make an appointment to receive the injection. This vaccine is offered free of charge.
Citizens who have consumed this sushi must also monitor, by January 13, if they develop symptoms of hepatitis A, namely lack of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fever, general malaise, fatigue and jaundice.
Hepatitis A is an infection caused by a virus that attacks the liver, says the Montreal DRSP. It can have serious consequences in the elderly, in people with chronic liver disease and in people who are immunocompromised.
Hepatitis A is spread by ingestion of the virus which is present in water, food, drink, or on contaminated objects. The infection can also be transmitted during sex with an affected person.