Before a Rosa’s Restaurant employee was diagnosed with Hepatitis A last month, the facility was cited for handwashing violations. The violations were for employees not washing their hands in a timely manner, workers not performing proper handwashing, and the business not providing paper towel for the handwashing facilities. Other employees were observed making food with their bare hands, which is a food safety violation.
At least four Hamilton area New Jersey residents developed Hepatitis A; they ate at the restaurant during the time the ill employee worked there, but officials aren’t sure if the cases are directly linked to the restaurant. The restaurant was closed and cleaned after an employee told the owners he had been diagnosed with the disease. Public health officials have conducted unannounced inspections four times since the hepatitis A announcement.
Hepatitis A is caused by a very contagious virus. People can get sick after direct contact with an infected person, or by eating food or drinking beverages handled by that person.
The symptoms of hepatitis A include mild fever, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, loss of appetite, diarrhea, clay colored stools, abdominal pain, dark urine, and yellowing of the eyes or skin (jaundice). Symptoms usually begin two to six weeks after the initial exposure. Most people recover on their own, but people with liver disease can have serious complications. A vaccination is only effective if given within two weeks of exposure.
