Hepatitis In 2nd Flight Attendant

Both work for Hawaiian Airlines. In the latest case, the attendant served food and beverages on four flights from July 31 to Aug. 12.

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The Hawaii Department of Health has confirmed a new case of hepatitis A in a Hawaiian Airlines flight attendant as part of the outbreak on Oahu that has been traced to raw scallops served at Genki Sushi restaurants.

It is the second case involving a flight attendant for the airline, according to the deparment. The first involved an attendant who served inflight food and beverages to passengers from July 1 to July 26.

In the new case, the flight attendant served inflight food and beverages to passengers on the following flights:

• July 31, Flight HA22 from Honolulu to Seattle.

• Aug. 1 – Flight HA21 from Seattle to Honolulu.

• Aug 10 – Flight HA18 from Honolulu to Las Vegas.

• Aug. 12 – Flight HA17 from Las Vegas to Honolulu.

“This case is a reminder that hepatitis A symptoms can appear up to 50 days after exposure,” said State Epidemiologist Sarah Park in a press release.  “This is why we expect to continue to see cases in coming weeks, and why we need to remain vigilant to prevent further transmission, even though the product has been pulled off the market.”

A total of 206 cases of hepatitis A have been confirmed since the outbreak began in June.

Honolulu had the fourth largest out-flow of its residents of any metropolitan area in the country, according to a recent analysis.
Two Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants have contracted hepatitis A since the Oahu outbreak began in June, according to the state Health Department. Flickr: ackook

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