Second Hepatitis A Exposure Notification Issued for Sunshine Coast

Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) has issued a second notification regarding potential exposure to hepatitis A in the Sunshine Coast area. This alert specifically concerns customers of **Pepper Creek Pizza and Pasta**, located at **4330 Sunshine Coast Highway** in **Wilson Creek (Sechelt)**. Individuals who consumed salads from this establishment between **July 31 and August 14** and again from **August 23 to 29** may have been exposed to the virus.

This notification follows a previous alert issued for **Sea Monkey Coffee**, situated at **Sunday Cider** near **Gibsons**, for the period of **August 1 to 25**. The advisory for Sea Monkey Coffee excludes patrons of other businesses within the same complex, such as the cidery itself and customers of the food truck outside these specified dates. It also does not apply to individuals who only purchased drinks at the venue.

Vaccination is a key preventive measure against hepatitis A. VCH advises anyone who consumed salads at **Pepper Creek** between **August 23 and 29**, or dined at **Sea Monkey Coffee** between **August 15 and 25**, to seek vaccination as soon as possible. Vaccines are effective if administered within two weeks of potential exposure and are available at various clinics and pharmacies in the region.

VCH Public Health emphasizes that while the risk of hepatitis A transmission is low, it is important for anyone who ate at either location during the specified dates to monitor themselves for symptoms. These symptoms may take between two to seven weeks to manifest and can last for approximately two months.

Common symptoms of hepatitis A include profound fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, unintended weight loss, abdominal pain, fever, muscle aches, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), dark urine, and pale stools. Individuals experiencing these symptoms are urged to contact their healthcare provider promptly.

According to the notification, most cases of hepatitis A resolve without medical intervention and do not lead to long-term liver complications. Those who have previously been infected or who have received two doses of the hepatitis A vaccine prior to exposure are considered protected from this infection.

For further information regarding hepatitis A, individuals can visit the VCH website at vch.ca/en/health-topics/hepatitis-a. For those who suspect they may have been infected, assistance is available through HealthLink BC at **811**.