In a recent announcement, officials said that federal laboratory tests have verified hepatitis A virus’ presence in scallops from the Philippines that were identified by HawaiiHealth Department as the probable source of the disease outbreak in the state.

Early this week, the Health Department stopped the sale and distribution of Sea Port Bay Scallops statewide, instantly after saying that they were behind the outbreak, which has made 206 people ill.

The product was tested by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the results they have got were positive.

Dr. Virginia Pressler, health director, said, “I would like to thank our federal partners, the FDA and CDC for their collaboration with our staff throughout this ongoing investigation. The corroboration by the FDA of our data analysis and conclusions provides welcome and critical evidence for our continuing investigative work”.

De Oro Resources Inc. produces scallops in SubaBasbas, Philippines, and they are imported by Washington State’s Sea Port Products Corp. On late Monday, Health authorities shut down all Genki Sushi restaurants across Oahu and Kauai because the scallops were already served there.

State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Park said that they have been doing efforts to bring this outbreak to an end by working to make ensure the state has no other such product, and by seeking the ones who probably have got infected, with symptoms are yet to appear.

When it comes to hepatitis A, an infectious liver disease, vaccination is the best protection. People who have eaten the scallops or are confused, must talk to their health care providers regarding getting the hepatitis A shot or immune globulin, which can give protection in case taken within a couple of weeks after exposure. The spread of the virus can also be prevented by vigorous hand washing.

A report published in FOX NEWS informed, "The Hawaii Department of Health announced Thursday the FDA laboratory test results of frozen Sea Port Bay Scallops. They're produced by De Oro Resources Inc. Messages left with the company's main office in the Philippines weren't immediately returned."

Health officials on Monday identified frozen scallops served raw at a sushi chain as the probable source of the outbreak. They ordered 11 Genki Sushi restaurants on Oahu and Kauai to close. The popular restaurants, which serve sushi on conveyor belts, must dispose of their food supply and disposable items like cups and napkins and disinfect the facilities before they reopen.

"This laboratory confirmation is important validation of our investigation findings," state epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Park said in a statement Thursday. "We are continuing efforts to end this outbreak by working to assure no other product is left in the state and to monitor for those who unfortunately may have been infected and do not yet have symptoms."

According to a report in Food Poisoning Bulletin by Linda Larsen, "The incubation period for hepatitis A is two weeks to 50 days. During that time, the person is contagious even though they are not experiencing any symptoms. Since the virus is so contagious, person-to-person contact, contact with food or drink, and even contact with surfaces can spread the disease."

Hawaii public health officials think that the outbreak may be linked to raw scallops that were imported from the Philippines. The scallops are Sea Pork Bay Scallops (Wild Harvest, Raw Frozen) that were distributed by Koha Oriental Foods and True World Foods. They were served at Genki Sushi restaurants on the islands of Oahu and Kauai.

The symptoms of hepatitis A include fatigue, fever, weight loss, loss of appetite, clay colored stools, dark urine, headache, nausea, muscle aches, and jaundice, which is yellowing of the skin and eyes. Symptoms usually begin 2 weeks to 50 days after exposure to the virus. Some people should be vaccinated against hepatitis A, according to the CDC.