A case of hepatitis A has been identified in a Frisch’s employee who worked in two of the restaurant’s locations: at 1228 Scioto Street in Urbana, Ohio, and at 1830 Bechtle Avenue in Springfield, Ohio. The Champaign Health District and the Clark County Combined Health District are working to vaccinate all restaurant employees.
The restaurant and public health officials did not name the dates that the employee worked there, stating that “the risk of transmission to patrons is extremely low due to safe food handling procedures being in place.” Restaurant spokesperson said they are fully cooperating with the Health Department and appreciate their work.
A hepatitis A or immune globulin vaccination is only effective if given within two weeks of exposure. Anyone who has eaten at those locations may want to contact their doctors to ask about vaccination. Vaccines are usually available at pharmacies too.
There is a statewide outbreak of hepatitis A, which was declared in June 2018. Frequent and correct handwashing is one of the best ways to prevent this illness, along with getting vaccinated. In addition, people who are sick, especially with a diarrheal illness, should stay home from work and school until they are well.
Symptoms of hepatitis A include stomach and abdominal pain, nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, nausea, clay-colored stools, dark urine, and jaundice, which is a yellowing of the eyes and skin. Symptoms usually begin 15 to 50 days after exposure.
A person who is infected is most infectious two weeks before symptoms begin, which is one of the reasons this virus spreads so quickly and easily. There is no treatment for hepatitis A. Most people recover after a few weeks, but some do become so ill they need to be hospitalized. Anyone with a compromised immune system or liver disease is more likely to become seriously ill.
