Hepatitis Scare Among Hollywood Celebs

Wolfgang Puck Catering Employee Has Hepatitis A, May Have Exposed Swimsuit Models, Others

(CBS/AP)  Being "hep" in Hollywood may mean exposure to hepatitis A. An employee of Wolfgang Puck Catering diagnosed with the virus may have exposed guests at several events, including Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue party, health officials said Tuesday.

The risk of illness was "quite low," but anyone who ate raw food at the magazine's Feb. 14 party was urged to receive a preventive shot by Wednesday, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said.

According to media reports, singer-actress Beyonce Knowles, who graced this year's cover of the swimsuit issue, attended the party along with several high-profile models. Other guests included Guns N' Roses bassist Duff McKagan and Borat co-star Ken Davitian.

"The risk here is low," said Dr. Jonathan Fielding, the county director of public health. "Nonetheless, we felt it was appropriate to alert people."

Hepatitis A virus is spread from person to person by putting something in the mouth that has been contaminated, WebMD reports. Poor sanitary conditions and personal hygiene practices contribute to spread of the infection.

Most people don't require special treatment for hepatitis A, although according to WebMD, treatment can help with symptoms. It is not a chronic disease, and once you have gotten over a hepatitis A infection you can't get it again.

The virus is found in the feces of infected people. It attacks the liver and can cause fever, diarrhea and jaundice. It is rarely fatal.

The alert involves only 13 events, and medical authorities were paying particular attention to four catered events, including the SI party, the Los Angeles Times reported. The other three were not identified.

The affected employee was placed on medical leave, said Carl Schuster, president of Wolfgang Puck Catering.

"We immediately worked to take every precaution to further safeguard our patrons and other employees," Schuster said in a statement.

Sports Illustrated said in a statement that it was taking the situation very seriously and was working directly with county health authorities.

"We are alerting our guests and staff as quickly as possible to ensure they receive the relevant health warnings," the statement said.

Puck's restaurants and prepackaged foods were not affected, nor were any parties after Feb. 20, including Sunday's post-Oscars Governors Ball.

[cbville72]

I hope Tom Cruise makes it out of all this ok. This could explain the whole "couch jumping" thing. Maybe Kramer had some "bad food" too before he checked out of reality for a few minutes.
The world will watch with baited breath.

[cbville72]

The hollywood celebs and moviestars are the backbone and the concsious of our fearless liberals. Without them, we would have no leadership. What will the country do?
I mean if I can't turn on the TV to hear what a millionaire who has to work a couple hours a year on "the set" of his/her mext big blockbuster/flop has to say on the ISSUES facing our world today, then I will not know what to be scared of
Oh that's right, I can just watch the news for that.

[gunnerone2]

I am really glad to have this information. The next time I am invited to a hollywood party I'll know to be careful.

[mitywhity]

Who cares.....................................

[ecuadoriana]

Yeah whatever. Hepatitis should be the least of their worries since they all seem to bed hop & become pregnant at the drop of a pair of panties.

Celebraties cheat on their spouses while on set, then marry their lover 6 months later only to have their new spouse cheat on them, then they get pregnant & divorced & "are seen with so & so smoozing at a nightclub" & on & on & on...

The whorl wind love afairs of these celebrities is sickening. When a "Hollywood-do-any-one" couple hits the 5 year wedding anniversary it's like marveling at a museum relic!

Forget the hepatitis! They should worry about AIDS!

[jetlizhan]

i just signed on - what's going on with the posts?

[agnim]

Why would any American in right mind eat in the street these days; and to eat raw food when there has been so many attacks on the food source is mindless.
But hey, isn't Hollywood filled with half-brain people?

[klingon69]

heheheheheh, let's have a concert to help the poor people... Sheeesh, with their lifestyles...they got what they deserve.

[usawatchman]

CBS is CENSORING the NEWS on 911
(i.e. they aid in the COVER-UP)

sorry spellchecker didn't catch the spelling

[Syndicate]

Testing.........................

[wadecounty01]

J i hope you always wear a hat