The Wilkes County Health Department announced that an employee at Dixie Donuts at 2830 West NC Highway 268 in Wilkesboro, North Carolina has tested positive for hepatitis A. Anyone who ate at this restaurant when this person was working there could be at risk for developing the disease.
The employee worked during these dates and times:
- May 8, 2012 from 7:00 am to 1:00 pm
- May 9, 2012 from 7:00 am to 1:00 pm
- May 10, 2012 from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm
- May 12, 2012 from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm
If you or anyone you know ate at the restaurant at these times, contact your doctor. You can be protected against hepatitis A if you receive a hepatitis A vaccine or immune globulin within 14 days of exposure. Anyone who has had a hepatitis A infection or the vaccine are protected. Exposed persons could experienced symptoms of the disease from May 22 to June 23.
If you picked up a pre-booked order at those times, you were not exposed to the disease.
Hepatitis A affects the liver. Symptoms of the disease include fever, feeling sick, diarrhea, loss of appetite, nausea, darkened urine, and jaundice. Anyone who has the disease is highly infectious. Some people can suffer serious complications of this illness, including liver failure.
If you have questions, call the Wilkes County Health Department at 336-651-7573.
Linda Larsen has written 28 cook books. She worked for the Pillsbury company in their test kitchens and for the Pillsbury Bake-Off. She holds a degree with High Distinction in Food Science from the University of Minnesota.
Fred Pritzker is a food safety advocate and attorney. He represents people sickened by contaminated food.
By submitting a comment, you are contacting PritzkerOlsen, P.A. An attorney may contact you to ask if you would like a free consultation regarding your foodborne illness.