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Feb 21, 2008 7:34 pm US/Pacific
Hepatitis Scare Hits Popular NYC Bar
A-List Stars Among 700 To 800 In Attendance Over 3 Days
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Actress Demi Moore and husband actor Ashton Kutcher were among many A-list celebrities who were partying at a popular West Village bar back in the beginning of February.
Vince Bucci/Getty Images
Patrons of a New York City bar earlier this month are urged to get a hepatitis A vaccination after a bartender who works there was diagnosed with the serious ailment.
Among those who may have been potentially exposed were many A-list stars from Hollywood, music and the fashion industry.
Health Department officials say anyone who went to "Socialista," after 8 p.m. on Feb. 7 and 8, or after 10 p.m. on Feb. 11, should be inoculated as soon as possible. About 700-800 people were estimated to have visited the bar on those nights.
Celebrities Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher and Madonna were among hundreds of patrons urged by New York health officials on Thursday to get a Hepatitis A vaccination.
Local media reports said Moore hosted a 30th birthday bash for her husband Kutcher at the venue on Feb. 7 after a star-studded dinner at Gemma restaurant.
Entertainment photo agency WireImage showed guests at the Socialista event, including Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ivanka Trump, Liv Tyler, Catherine Keener, Lucy Liu and Salma Hayek.
Other celebrities reported at Socialista were Javier Bardem, nominated for a best supporting actor Oscar, Eric Dane, Rebecca Gayheart and fashion designer Roberto Cavalli.
People who were exposed but have already received two doses of Hepatitis A vaccine sometime in their life do not need another shot, all others should be vaccinated.
Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by virus. It's spread by putting something in one's mouth (even though it might look clean) that is contaminated with traces of fecal matter from the infected person. Most people recover within a few weeks with bed rest and by avoiding alcoholic beverages. There are no special medicines or antibiotics that can be used to treat a person once the symptoms appear.
Symptoms of hepatitis A include:
- Jaundice (yellowing of eyes and skin)
- Fatigue
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
Fewer than 1 percent of all cases are fatal.
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