A hepatitis A warning has been issued by the Madison County Health Department for anyone who ate at Sonny’s BBQ on Center Drive in Richmond, Kentucky between November 18 and December 1, 2018. There is a hepatitis A outbreak in that area of the country.
The Health Department has been recommending hepatitis A vaccinations for everyone in the community, since a county wide outbreak was declared on October 24, 2018. Sonny’s has been cooperating with state and local health officials.
It’s too late to get an immune globulin or hepatitis A vaccination for anyone who ate there before November 27, 2018. Those shots are only good for two weeks after exposure. Those patrons need to contact their doctors and watch themselves for the symptoms of hepatitis A, which can appear anywhere from 15 to 50 days after exposure.
The hepatitis A virus is very contagious. It is passed from person-to-person or from touching contaminated surfaces through the fecal-oral route. It can also spread through contaminated food or water.
The symptoms of hepatitis A include clay colored stools, dark urine, fatigue, vomiting, abdominal pain, fever, jaundice, weight loss, loss of appetite, and joint pain. These symptoms can last up to 6 months.
People with liver disease and those with compromised immune systems are usually most affected by this illness. It can be deadly. There is no treatment for hepatitis A.
The best way to prevent the spread of this virus is to get vaccinated. It’s also important that anyone who works with the public wash their hands well after using the bathroom and before preparing food or drink.
