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...]
Possible Hepatitis A at LaRoma’s Pizzeria in Rome, New York
An employee tested positive for hepatitis A at LaRoma's Pizzeria in Rome, New York, according to a press release issued by the Oneida County Health Department. The employee "worked while infectious and may have exposed people who were patrons of the shop," according to the press release. The Health Department is also alerting people who ordered take-out food from that venue. That employee worked at the LaRoma's Pizzeria, located at 600 Floyd Avenue in Rome, between April 20, 2020 and May 4, 2020. Since the hepatitis A vaccine is only effective if given within two weeks of exposure, that means that anyone who ate there or ordered take out food on April 27, 2020 must get a vaccination today. Contact the Health Department at 315-798-5747 and press 1 to make an appointment for a … [Read more...]
Taco Bell Hepatitis A Exposure in Chilhowie, Virginia
A Taco Bell hepatitis A exposure may have occurred in Chilhowie, Virginia, according to the Virginia Department of Health. That restaurant is located at 153 VA-107 in Chilhowie. Anyone who ate at that restaurant from April 14 to April 30, 2020 could have been exposed to the virus. Dr. Karen Shelton, director of the health district said in a statement, "Individuals who ate food from Taco Bell in Chilhowie during that time and who have not been previously vaccinated for hepatitis A or have not previously had the disease are recommended to receive the hepatitis A vaccine. This may help prevent, or lessen the severity of, illness. The vaccine works best if given within 2 weeks of exposure and may not prevent infection with Hepatitis A for all, but it can help protect many who have been … [Read more...]
Hepatitis A Employee at the Space at Factoria or Fin & Brew Peekskill, NY
A hepatitis A positive food worker at The Space at Factoria or Fin & Brew in Peekskill, New York worked while sick this month, according to a news release by the Westchester County Health Department. Factoria is an event space, and Fin & Brew shares an ice machine with that space. Anyone who ate at the private event at Factoria on Saturday, February 15, 2020 may have been exposed. Anyone who ate at Fin & Brew on Sunday, February 16 or Wednesday, February 19, 2020 also could have been exposed because of the shared equipment. The Health Department has been contacting patrons to tell them about this possible exposure. Any customers of other restaurants in this complex aren't at risk because those restaurants have separate facilities. The Westchester County Department of … [Read more...]
Hepatitis A in Food Worker at Black Bear Diner on West State St. in Boise, ID
A food service worker at the Black Bear Diner on West State Street in Boise, Idaho has been diagnosed with hepatitis A, according to the Central Health District in Idaho. That restaurant is located at 7530 West State Street in Boise. The employee only worked at the northwest Boise location. That is under different ownership from the south Boise location of a restaurant that shares the same name. The employee worked at the State Street Black Bear Diner on January 26, 30, 31 of 2020, and February 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, and 16 of 2020. Unfortunately, six of those dates: January 26, 30, 31, and February 1, 2, and 6, 2020 are outside the two week window when hepatitis A vaccinations are effective. While the risk of contracting a hepatitis A infection from a food service worker is … [Read more...]
