Food workers at a restaurant and senior living center in Erie County, New York have been diagnosed with hepatitis A, according to the Health Department. Anyone who consumed foods and/or beverages from Al-e-oops Restaurant at 5389 Genessee Street in Lancaster, New York, or from the Brookdale Senior Living Community at 6076 Main Street in Williamsville, New York may be at risk.
For people who visited the Al-e-oops Restaurant, the critical dates are between January 27, 2018 through January 30, 2018. For people who ate at the Brookdale Senior Living Community, the dates are January 23, 2018 through January 31, 2018. Since the hepatitis A or immune globulin vaccinations are only good if given within two weeks of exposure, anyone who ate at those facilities before January 24, 2018 is not longer eligible for a shot. All those people can do is monitor themselves for the symptoms of hepatitis A.
The symptoms of hepatitis A include jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin), lethargy, weight loss, loss of appetite, dark urine, nausea, fever, diarrhea, and clay-colored stool. Most people recover on their own after a few weeks or months, but some pole, especially people with compromised immune systems, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses such as cancer, can become seriously ill.
A Hepatitis A Vaccine & Immune Globulin Point ofDispensing Clinic is being held on February 7, 2018, from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm for anyone who visited those facilities on the above dates and who has not been vaccinated against hepatitis A or has not previously been diagnosed with this illness. The vaccination is free for those who qualify. Pre-register, if possible, and bring some form of ID if you visit the clinic.
Officials say the residents and staff of the senior living center should speak with the facility direction about vaccinations. If you do develop symptoms of hepatitis A, contact the Erie County Department of Health at 716-858-2929.
