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Hundreds Line Up For Vaccinations After Health Scare At Bronx Restaurant

NEW YORK(CBSNewYork) -- A popular Bronx restaurant remained closed on Saturday night following an outbreak of a very serious virus.

Possible exposure to Hepatitis A prompted local residents to spend a beautiful Saturday lined up for vaccinations in the borough's Morris Park section, CBS 2's Steve Langford reported.

"I feel fine, but better safe than sorry," one customer said.

The Health Department rushed to offer vaccinations at a local high school through Monday.

One man, who wished to remain unidentified, told CBS 2 that his wife fell ill after eating at The New Hawaii Sea Restaurant on Williamsbridge Road.

"She went to the emergency room to check it out and wound up she was sick. She wound up having Hepatitis," he said.

One long time restaurant patron said that she heard about the outbreak from a staff member.

"The bartender had told us. They said we're closing down for a little bit because there have been four or five cases of Hepatitis," Dawnmarie D'Emidio said.

The Health Department closed the restaurant that day.

"We're asking that anybody who ate at the restaurant between September 7 and September 19 come here to get vaccinated," Dr. Jennifer Rosen said.

Dr. Rosen said that the symptoms of Hepatitis A are painfully clear.

"Older children and adults may experience abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, dark urine, their skin may turn yellow," she said.

In spite of the scare the restaurant may still be able to call on some of its loyal clientele.

"It's so clean in there you'll never believe anything was wrong when you go in there. Nice linen table cloths," Patricia Coaker said.

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