Two businesses in Arkansas have had food handlers work while they were infectious with hepatitis A. The Arkansas Department of Health has issued two press releases about these cases.
If you have eaten at these establishments, it’s crucial that you get a vaccination against this pathogenic virus within two weeks of exposure. The shots are only good within that time frame.
The first business is the Flash Market/Subway at 105 North Missouri Avenue in Corning. That person worked between March 30 and April 17, 2018. If you ate there before April 11, it’s too late for a shot. All you can do is monitor yourself for the symptoms of this illness and see your doctor if they appear.
So far this year, 12 cases of hepatitis A infections have been reported in Clay County. Four of those cases were in food service workers. So the ADH recommends that all food service workers in that area be vaccinated against the illness.
The second business is the Doublebee’s gas station at 1003 Highway 63 in Walnut Ridge. That person worked between April 7 and April 18, 2018. If you ate there before April 11, it’s too late for a vaccination. Watch yourself for the symptoms of a hepatitis A infection and see your doctor if you get sick.
The Lawrence County Local Health Unit in Walnut Ridge will hold a walk-in clinic to provide shots from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm today, Wednesday, April 25, 2018. That clinic is located at 1050 West Free Street in Walnut Ridge.
The symptoms of hepatitis A include fever, fatigue and lethargy, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, clay-colored stools, dark urine, joint pain, and jaundice. People usually start getting sick 15 to 50 days after they are exposed to the virus.
People can have only a mild illness, but some, especially those with liver disease, can become seriously ill and need to be hospitalized. Unfortunately, a person can be infectious two weeks before they even show symptoms, which is why public health officials are encouraging vaccinations.
