Bootylicious babe Beyonce Knowles had a health fright on Valentine's Day after a cook preparing the bites at a
Sports Illustrated party she attended to mark the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue was diagnosed with acute hepatitis.
The buxom
Irreplaceable singer adorns the cover of the issue in a yellow bikini. Other models featured in the edition include Ana Beatriz Barros, Bar Refaeli, Marisa Miller, Veronica Varekova and Yamila Diaz-Rahi. All these were present at the party, which had raw foods like sushi and salads that maximize the chances of infection.
On Wednesday, however, Beyonce, through her publicist Alan Nierob, said she had escaped infection because she had not eaten anything at the party, held at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood. The cook diagnosed with the liver–affecting infection has been sent on medical leave, said Wolfgang Puck, the caterer at the party. The catering firm also sent letters to all those present at the party to get a vaccination to counter the hepatitis A virus in case they have been infected.
“While the risk of infection is low, we will continue to work with the health department to bring a speedy and thorough resolution to this investigation. We immediately worked to take every precaution to further safeguard our patrons and other employees,” said the firm's president Carl Schuster.
In addition to Wolfgang Puck, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and a
Sports Illustrated team are also keeping a watch on the health of those present at the bash. “We are alerting our guests and staff as quickly as possible to ensure they receive the relevant health warnings,” the sports magazine said, even as health department officials urged the attendees to report any symptoms like fever, shivering, fatigue, abdominal ache, vomiting and diarrhea. The disease, which in most cases doesn't prove fatal, spreads through food and water contamination. The symptoms can appear anytime between 15 and 50 days of infection, if an immunoglobulin vaccine is not administered. The disease doesn't have any specific treatment and usually runs its course in a few days, leaving the victim weak and fatigued.
The cook diagnosed with the viral infection was also involved in the preparation of meals at three other parties hosted by Wolfgang Puck between February 14 and 20. Health officials and the caterer have sent out warnings to guests present at these bashes as well.
