There has been a Taco Bell hepatitis A exposure at the restaurant on Erie Boulevard in Rome, New York. That employee worked while infectious, according to a press release by the Oneida County Health Department.
The employee worked from June 11, 2020 to June 22, 2020, and from June 24, 25, 29, July 2, and July 3, 2020 at different times, mostly 6:00 pm to 2:00 am. That means that anyone who ate there on June 24, 2020 needs to be vaccinated by today, July 8, 2020. The hepatitis A and immune globulin vaccinations are only effective if given within two weeks of exposure. This Taco Bell hepatitis A exposure may have exposed many people to the virus.
Anyone who has been vaccinated or who has had the disease is presumably immune and doesn’t need another shot. Contact your healthcare provider if you aren’t sure.
You can get vaccines at your healthcare provider’s office or contact the Oneida County Health Department. Vaccinations will be given there by appointment only at 300 West Dominick Street in Rome, New York. Call 315-798-5747 and press 1 to schedule an appointment. Leave a message with your name, date of birth, phone number, and date of exposure.
Unfortunately, if you ate there before June 24, 2020, you are likely no longer eligible for a vaccine. All you can do is monitor your health for symptoms of the illness, which include loss of appetite, upset stomach, abdominal pain, especially in the upper right quadrant, vomiting, low grade fever, joint pain, dark urine, clay-colored stools, diarrhea, and yellow skin and eyes.
These symptoms usually appear 15 to 50 days after exposure, most commonly within 4 weeks. If you do develop those symptoms, see your doctor. People who are infected are contagious for two weeks before symptoms even start, so the virus can spread easily.
Taco Bell has been notified about this problem and is cooperating with the health department. The restaurant has been inspected and will get inspected more in the next few weeks.
The best way to prevent the spread of this virus is by getting vaccinated. You should also wash your hands thoroughly after using the bathroom, before preparing and serving food, before eating, and after taking care of someone who is sick. And stay home from work or school if you are ill.
