Stars Attending Ashton's NY Birthday Bash Exposed To Hepatitis A?

By Access HollywoodFebruary 21, 2008, 4:19 pm PST

Celebrities attending Ashton Kutcher's 30th birthday party at New York City hot spot Socialista Bar may have been exposed to Hepatitis A, Access Hollywood has learned.

According to a statement released by the New York City Department of Health, a bartender at the club, who was carrying the virus, worked on the night of Ashton's February 7 party.

[ Kevin Costner & Ashton Kutcher Sound Off - Watch the Video ]

As a result, any patrons who may have visited the club are "considered to be at risk" and are being urged to get a preventive shot.

According to paparazzi photos taken that night outside the club, celebrities in attendance included Demi Moore, Lucy Liu, Salma Hayek, Gwyneth Paltrow, Madonna, Rebecca Gayheart and Eric Dane.

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Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by a virus. According to the release from the health department, it can be "spread from person to person by putting something in the mouth (even though it might look clean) that has been contaminated with traces of fecal matter from an infected person."

The health department noted that most people "recover within a few weeks with bed rest and by avoiding alcoholic beverages."

[ All Access: Ashton Kutcher ]

The owners of Socialista Bar told the health department they believe that about 700-800 people may have visited the club during the bartender's shifts on the nights of February 7, 8 and 11.

"We are asking these bar patrons to get this vaccination as a precautionary measure," said Dr. Sharon Balter, Medical Epidemiologist at the Health Department. "If people experience symptoms, they should see a doctor, but for most people bed rest and avoiding alcohol are all that is needed to recover. This incident serves as an important reminder to always wash [your] hands thoroughly and regularly to prevent the spread of disease."

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comments

comments 1-10 of 57  | newest | < newer | older > | oldest
  • And there i was ?
    If this is a punk,...I'll personally kick his arss and collect $80.00 for the doctors office visit, &$20.00 for the shot.
    report abuseposted April 9, 2008, 11:51 pm PDT
  • javaturtle
    If he punk'd his guests I hope someone kicks his ass!
    report abuseposted April 9, 2008, 9:53 pm PDT
  • janice e
    it would be nice for someone to ask if they could pay for all these people vaccine
    report abuseposted April 9, 2008, 9:18 pm PDT
  • malissa s
    WOW Ashton not only punked the paparazzi he punked ya'll..sweet!...there was no hepatitis people!
    report abuseposted April 9, 2008, 9:14 pm PDT
  • wendy h
    Wow,this is the first time i'm glad i wasn't invited to some celeb's b-day bash.We have a friend who is older(in his 60's and a diabetic)and he ate at a resterant and soon after they closed the place due to a worker have hep(can't remember which type)and this older friend got it and was in the icu fighting for his life.Someone else i barely knew also ate the
    report abuseposted April 9, 2008, 7:42 pm PDT
  • Trauma RN
    ok, folks, poop happens. You may wash your hands, BUT not everyone else does. More ways/places to contract any type of disease spread by contact in restrooms: the seat, toilet paper dispenser, flusher, doors and door locks, soap dispensers, faucet handles (before AND after you wash), paper towel dispensers/hand dryer buttons, door handles/doorknobs. And forget about touching the water fountains!
    report abuseposted April 9, 2008, 7:36 pm PDT
  • mcpdrew
    And he'll get the last laugh tomorrow when he says to everyone, "PUNK'd!!!!"
    report abuseposted April 9, 2008, 7:26 pm PDT
  • sparks
    the real shame is that people are not taught the importance of general health.. i hope the tips were worth all the scary stuff that followed..more sickness spread unnecessarily...also.. just goes to show you how selfish we are .. you're sick... to heck that anyone else may be exposed to illness also.. so sad.. hope no one gets sick from this party...
    report abuseposted April 9, 2008, 7:18 pm PDT
  • Stacye
    You can beg and beg but 75% of people do not wash thier hands!!! I promise you!!!
    report abuseposted February 27, 2008, 6:24 pm PST
  • Stacye
    That is scary... no one ever knows what they are being exposed to and most of the time "unintentionally"... Just makes you think. We hear of this because he is a big star, but what about the rest of us.... do you think they speak up? Hell no..... do you think your local bar owner is gonna say... NO!!! I owned a bar, nice sweet place, but dont eat the nuts!!!!! They
    report abuseposted February 27, 2008, 6:22 pm PST
comments 1-10 of 57  | newest | < newer | older > | oldest

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