Workers at two more facilities in southeastern Michigan have bene diagnosed with hepatitis A. Workers at the Token Lounge at 28949 Joy Road in Westland have been diagnosed with hepatitis A, according to news reports. And a worker at Jet’s Pizza at 15235 East Seven Mile Road near Hayes in Detroit was also diagnosed with the virus. There is no information about these two restaurants on the Wayne County Health Department web site.
The Token Lounge is open for business. It was inspected on December 13, 2017. Public health officials say that anyone who drank beverages there between November 20, 2017 and December 4, 2017 should get a hepatitis A or immune globulin vaccination as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, if you visited that facility before December 1, 2017 it’s too late for a shot. The vaccination is only effective if given within two weeks of exposure. The health department is offering vaccines to the club’s employees.
In the case of Jet’s Pizza, the ill employee worked there from November 30, 2017 to December 11, 2017. That means if anyone visited that facility on November 30, 2017, it’s too late for a shot.
People who found out about this possible exposure too late for a vaccination should watch themselves for the symptoms of hepatitis A for the next 50 days, because that’s how long it can take for those symptoms to appear.
Symptoms of a hepatitis A infection include dark urine, clay-colored stool, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), abdominal pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, diarrhea, fever, and chills. There is no specific treatment for this illness.
Most people recover after this infection, but some, especially those who have liver disease or compromised immune systems, can get very sick and need to be hospitalized. Some people do die.
The best way to prevent this epidemic from continuing is to get a hepatitis A vaccination, especially if you work in a public area such as a restaurant, school, or daycare center. Pharmacies, doctor’s offices, and health departments offer these vaccinations.
The Detroit Health Department offers immunization clinics at The Samaritan Center and the Family Place. Call the health department for times. And the Health Department is launching a mobile vaccination clinic for Detroit food establishment employees.
