Hepatitis A Exposure Alert Issued for Boulder Restaurant Patrons

Health officials advise anyone who consumed fresh juice drinks at the restaurant on January 5 and is not fully vaccinated against Hepatitis A to get a vaccine by January 19

Boulder County Public Health has issued a health advisory for patrons of Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant at 1101 Walnut Street in Boulder. If you consumed drinks containing fresh juice at the restaurant on December 30, 2024, or January 5, 2025, you may have been exposed to Hepatitis A. The health department confirmed that the contamination risk was limited to these two specific dates and the Walnut Street location. Thanks to swift collaboration with the restaurant, there is no ongoing threat to public health. Hepatitis A is a highly contagious virus, typically spread through fecal contamination of food or drinks, or close contact with an infected individual. Symptoms can emerge two to six weeks after exposure and range from mild to severe, potentially lasting for months. Common signs include fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, dark urine, and jaundice.

Health officials advise anyone who consumed fresh juice drinks at the restaurant on January 5 and is not fully vaccinated against Hepatitis A to get a vaccine by January 19. For those exposed on December 30, the vaccination window has passed, but monitoring for symptoms over the next four weeks is crucial. Only specific fresh juice drinks consumed on the noted dates are linked to the potential exposure. Drinks on other days or beverages made without fresh juice are not considered a risk. Vaccinations are effective in preventing the disease if administered within two weeks of exposure. The vaccine is safe for adults, including pregnant women, but is not recommended for children under one year old.

Boulder County Public Health urges individuals who may have been exposed to consult with their healthcare provider promptly. For additional information, contact Boulder County Public Health or visit their website.