LA County is investigating a reported case of hepatitis A at Beverly Hills Whole Foods

Los Angeles County public health officials are investigating a reported case of hepatitis A in an employee at a Whole Foods supermarket in Beverly Hills.

Health officials warned that anyone who purchased produce at the seafood counter at the market at 239 North Crescent Drive between April 20 and May 13 should receive the hepatitis A vaccine unless they are already immune.

“Vaccination as soon as possible after exposure could help reduce the risk of hepatitis A infection,” the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said. “Residents should contact their local pharmacy or doctor to receive the vaccine.”

Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection that can range from a mild illness lasting several weeks to a severe illness lasting several months, according to the health department.

The infection typically spreads when a person inadvertently ingests the virus through objects, foods, or drinks that are contaminated by small, undetected amounts of stool from an infected person.

The health department is working with Whole Foods to ensure employees who are not immune to hepatitis A are referred for vaccination. As of Saturday, no additional cases of hepatitis A have been reported and the investigation is ongoing.

Los Angeles officials said earlier this week that hepatitis A was spreading among the city’s homeless population. People experiencing homelessness tend to be at higher risk because they have limited access to handwashing and toilet facilities.

Whole Foods’ corporate communications department did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment on the investigation. In a statement to the Los Angeles Times, the company said that “the diagnosed team member is not functioning and we are not aware of anyone else becoming ill.”

“While we have strict food safety procedures in place in our stores,” the company told the newspaper, “we encourage anyone who believes they may have been exposed to follow Department of Health guidance.”