According to news reports, the Maine Centers for Disease Control says that a worker at The Birches Resort in Rockwood, Maine has been diagnosed with hepatitis A. That person handled food while infectious between September 2 and September 22, 2020. That means that anyone who ate at that restaurant or worked there from September 18 through September 22, 2020 should be vaccinated against the virus. Unfortunately, it's too late for a vaccine for anyone who visited that location before September 18, 2020 because there is two-week window after exposure where the vaccine is effective. All those people can do is monitor their health for symptoms of the illness. Anyone who may have had dine-in, take-out, delivery, or curbside pickup of food from the Birches Resort in Rockwood should talk … [Read more...]
Cases of Hepatitis A Linked to Galatoire’s Restaurant in New Orleans
There are cases of hepatitis A linked to Galatoire's restaurant in New Orleans, according to news reports. There was a "potential incident" in "early to mid-August," according to a statement released by the restaurant to WWLTV. We do not know how many people are sick, the actual illness onset dates, or whether the source is contaminated food or ill employees. The restaurant passed inspection by the Louisiana Department of Health. All employees have since been vaccinated against the virus. Hepatitis A is a contagious virus that is passed through contaminated food and beverages, through contact with surfaces, and through person-to-person contact. Since it is now the end of September, it's too late for hepatitis A vaccinations for anyone who was at that facility in August. That … [Read more...]
Bath NY Dunkin Donuts Employee Tested Positive For Hepatitis A
The Steuben County Public Health Department has confirmed a case of hepatitis A in a Bath NY Dunkin Donuts employee who worked while contagious. That restaurant is located at 350 West Morris Street in Bath, New York. Anyone who ate food or consumed drink from that establishment from August 17 through August 22, 2020 may have been exposed to the virus. While there is a low risk of contracting the virus, anyone who hasn't been vaccinated or who has not had the illness should monitor their health for symptoms of the virus. The virus is spread through the fecal-oral route, by ingesting small, undetected amounts of stool from and infected person. This can happen through sharing food or drink, eating at a restaurant where and infected person works, or by touching contaminated … [Read more...]
Saco House of Pizza Food Worker Diagnosed with Hepatitis A in Maine
A Saco House of Pizza food worker has been diagnosed with hepatitis A in Saco, Maine, according to the Maine Centers for Disease Control. The employee was not in charge of preparing food, but did handle food while infectious from August 5, 2020 through August 21, 2020 and had access to food in the kitchen. Anyone who visited that venue on August 20 and August 21, 2020 is still eligible for a hepatitis A or immune globulin vaccination if they are vaccinated today or tomorrow. The vaccine is only effective if given within 14 days of exposure. This recommendation includes anyone who may have had dine-in, take-out, delivery, or curbside pickup of food from the restaurant. Everyone else who was at the Saco House of Pizza from August 5, 2020 through August 19, 2020 needs to monitor … [Read more...]
Possible Hepatits A Exposure at PF Chang’s in Destiny, USA, NY
A possible hepatitis A exposure at PF Chang's in Destiny USA, which is located at 9090 Destiny USA Drive in Syracuse, New York, may have put customers at risk for contracting the virus, according to news reports and the Onondaga County Health Department. A restaurant worker who handles food at that establishment was diagnosed with the illness. Anyone who ate or drank at that facility between Friday, July 31, 2020 and Sunday, August 2, 2020 may have been exposed to the virus. Unfortunately, it's too late for the immune globulin or hepatitis A vaccine, since those shots are only effective when given within two weeks of exposure. It's been 18 days since the last possible exposure occurred. If you were at that restaurant on the above dates, monitor yourself and your family for the … [Read more...]
Applebee’s Hepatitis A Exposure in Mount Vernon, Illinois
An Applebee's Hepatitis A exposure at the restaurant in Mount Illinois may have exposed customers to the virus, according to a Facebook post by the Jefferson County Health Department. The employee worked while infectious from July 9 through July 19, 2020. Applebee's has cleaned and sanitized the restaurant and has been working with public health officials. There is something strange about this, though. On the Facebook page someone asks if the employee worked before July 9, 2020, since they ate there on July 6, 2020. The health department doesn't give a direct answer, but advises the person to discuss vaccination with their doctor. So we don't know if this Applebee's hepatitis A exposure window was longer than stated. If you ate at the Applebee's in Mount Vernon, Illinois during … [Read more...]
Taco Bell Hepatitis A Exposure On Erie Blvd. in Rome, New York
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 … [Read more...]
Hepatitis A Exposure at Sea Salt Lobster Restaurant in Saco, Maine
A possible hepatitis A exposure at the Sea Salt Lobster Restaurant Saco, Maine may have exposed customers to the virus, according to a press release from the Maine Centers for Disease Control (CDC). That employee worked there and handled food while infectious from May 12, 2020 to May 23, 2020. Unfortunately, it's too late for anyone who may have been exposed to receive the hepatitis A or immune globulin vaccination, since the vaccine is only effective if given with 14 days of exposure. The advisory is extended to anyone who had take-out, delivery, or curbside pickup of food from the restaurant. The issue is that anyone who is infected will not show symptoms until at least two weeks have passed after infection. Anyone who may have been exposed at the Sea Salt Lobster Restaurant … [Read more...]
Hepatitis A Exposure at The New White Steamer in Indiana
Anyone who dined at The New White Steamer at 21 East Main Street in Washington, Indiana from May 12 to May 15, 2020 may have been exposed to hepatitis A, according to a release by the Daviess County Health Department. The press release did not have many details, and did not say whether or not a food handler was sick or if there was any other source of the exposure. That means that anyone who ate there on May 12, 2020 must get a hepatitis A or immune globulin vaccination by today, May 26, 2020. The vaccine is only effective if given within two weeks of exposure. But the notice states that anyone who ate at The New White Steamer from 5/12/20 through 5/15/20 can get a vaccination on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at The National Guard Armory at 500 NorthEast 6th Street in Washington, … [Read more...]
CDC Assesses Role of Food Handlers in Hepatitis A Transmission
In the latest issue of the Center for Disease Control and PRevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Notes From the Field addresses the role of food handlers restaurants in Hepatitis A transmission. Hepatitis A transmission is occurring in unprecedented numbers across the United States, given that there is an effective vaccine against the virus. As of May 2020, 33 states have reported hepatitis A outbreaks that have sickened more than 32,000 people, caused 19,800 hospitalizations, and 320 deaths since 2016. Hepatitis A infections among food handlers have raised public alarm. Many food safety experts are calling for vaccinating all food handlers. Health departments issue warnings to restaurant patrons every month about food handlers diagnosed with hepatitis A, warning … [Read more...]
