2 Deaths Investigated In Eastern PA Hepatitis A Outbreak: Latest Updates

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA — Two deaths are being investigated as possibly linked to the recent hepatitis A outbreak in Pennsylvania.

The outbreak was recently traced to Gino's Ristorante and Pizzeria in West Norriton, the Montgomery County Department of Public Health said, and it is closed indefinitely as an investigation continues.

Further details on the deaths, including precise locations or ages of the victims, have not been released by authorities.

At least 11 total cases are under investigation, with 9 confirmed and 2 others possible, according to officials.

Authorities believe the outbreak began in November, and current data suggests that the outbreak "no longer presents a risk." However, the current closure of the restaurant in Montgomery County as well as the elevated risk advisory are in place regardless as the investigation goes on.

Laboratories are working with the Pennsylvania Department of Health, saving serum samples for up to 10 days in order to assist in the investigation.

Further, healthcare providers have been told to consider hepatitis A a diagnosis in anyone with symptoms like jaundice, elevated liver enzymes, or anything that is "clinically compatible" to acute hepatitis symptoms. Other symptoms include upset stomach, stomach pain, fever, diarrhea, joint pain, dark urine or light-colored stools, and exhaustion.

Certain groups are particularly vulnerable to the spread of hepatitis A, which can be prevented by a vaccine.

"Since 2017, multiple states including Pennsylvania have experienced large, ongoing hepatitis A outbreaks affecting people who use drugs and/or people who are homeless," the Department of Health said in a recent advisory. "Populations at particular risk during these outbreaks identified in multiple U.S. states include persons who use injection and non- injection drugs, and/or persons who are homeless, and their close direct contacts."