Hepatitis A shots for 56 who were close to waitress

Public Health South has immunised 56 people who might have been exposed to hepatitis A by a Korean waitress working at Queenstown's Copthorne Hotel but there has been no notification of further cases to date.

Public Health South medical officer of health Dr Marion Poore said the waitress could potentially have exposed thousands of guests to hepatitis A between April 20 and May 3.

There had been no notification of further cases associated with this one but while that was encouraging it would not be until the end of June that the disease's incubation period would be over, she said.

At Public Health's Queenstown clinic on Saturday, 56 of the waitress's close contacts, mainly co-workers, were given an injection of immunoglobulin and a vaccination, to help prevent them developing the disease.

About 15 other close contacts were seen in other parts of the country, Dr Poore said.

The cost of providing immunoglobulin and vaccination would be several thousand dollars.

A toll-free number provided for those at risk had fielded 35 calls for information during the weekend and hotel staff were helping Public Health South so that the 3000 hotel guests between April 20 and May 3 could be contacted.

The majority of these people had likely left the country and would be contacted through their tour groups, Dr Poore said.

Some tourists were from countries where hepatitis A was endemic and could well be immune to the disease.

While the waitress may have had the disease when she arrived in New Zealand, hepatitis A could not be detected until people got sick so it would be an "impossible task" to screen people coming into the country, Dr Poore said.

The disease is highly contagious but will run its course like many other viruses. It can be contracted by hand to mouth contact and food and water which has been contaminated with the virus.

The symptoms of hepatitis A can include: nausea and vomiting, yellow eyes or skin (jaundice), dark urine, pale faeces, feeling unwell, lack of energy, not feeling like eating, stomach upset and pains, fever, and general aches and pains.

The incubation period is between 15 to 50 days but most commonly 28 to 30 days.

The waitress was recovering and planned to return home.

A toll-free number — 0800 709126 — would remain open today for anyone with questions.

- © Fairfax NZ News