A possible hepatitis A exposure is being investigated at Brady's Steaks and Seafood restaurant at 3801 Magnolia Street in Pascagoula, Mississippi, according to a news release by the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH). Two employees worked at that restaurant while potentially infectious with the virus. Any customer who ate at Brady's Steaks and Seafood between March 1, 2021 and April 3, 2021 may have been exposed to hepatitis A. The news release did state that at this time there is no indication of ongoing risk associated with the restaurant. The restaurant and management are fully cooperating with MSDH. State Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers said in a statement, "The risk of transmission of hepatitis A in this situation is likely very low. However, as a precaution, we … [Read more...]
Do You Know How to Keep Food Safe In a Flood? Learn Tips and Tricks
There is severe flooding in Mississippi along the Mississippi River that has inundated the southern part of the states. And flood warnings and advisories have been issued from that state all the way up to Illinois. While the flood waters recede, officials are telling people about food safety. Do you know how to keep food safe in a flood? Any extreme weather can cause serious damage to a home. The power may go out; a home can be flooded with very dirty, contaminated water; and structural damage can occur. The key to keeping food safe during these events is to plan ahead. Before severe weather strikes, have a plan. Make sure you have thermometers in your refrigerator and freezer. The fridge should be below 40°F and the freezer below 0°F. The thermometers will help let you know if … [Read more...]
Hepatitis A in Food Worker at Papa John’s Pizza in Horn Lake, MS
A food worker at Papa John's Pizza at 906 Goodman Road in Horn Lake, Mississippi has been diagnosed with hepatitis A. according to a news release by the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDA). That person worked at the restaurant while infectious from January 28, 2020 to February 11, 2020. That means that anyone who ate or drank at that restaurant or who received a pizza delivery during that time frame may have been exposed to the virus. Unfortunately, it's too late for a vaccine for anyone who was there before February 5, 2020, because the vaccine is only effective if given within 14 days of exposure. Those people should monitor their health for the symptoms of hepatitis A and see a doctor if the symptoms appear. Symptoms of hepatitis A include fever, jaundice yellowing … [Read more...]
Employee of Laurel, MS Huddle House Diagnosed With Hepatitis A
An employee of the Huddle House located at 1304 Chantilly Street in Laurel, Mississippi has been diagnosed with hepatitis A, according to the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH). Customers of that facility may have been exposed to the virus. While infectious, the employee worked at the restaurant from January 26 through January 29, 2020. Luckily, those dates are within the two week time period when a hepatitis A or immune globulin vaccination is effective. Anyone who ate at the restaurant during that time period should get a vaccination if they have not been previously vaccinated. Anyone who has had this illness should have immunity against the virus. Check with your doctor if you aren't sure. One of the challenges with this illness is that people are infectious for two … [Read more...]
Possible Hepatitis A Exposure at Gumbo Pot in Vicksburg, MS
An employee of the Gumbo Pot, located at 3401 Halls Ferry Road #5 in Vicksburg, Mississippi, has been diagnosed with a hepatitis A infection, according to the Mississippi State Department of Health. That means that anyone who ate at that facility on January 17, 18, and 22, 2020 may have been exposed to the virus. The restaurant is located in Warren County, Mississippi. Since the vaccination against hepatitis A is only effective if given within two weeks of exposure, only people who were at that restaurant on January 22, 2020 qualify for the shot. They can get a vaccine free of charge from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm on Tuesday, February 4, 2020 at the Warren County Health Department at 807 Monroe Street in Vicksburg. The last day for this group to get a vaccination is February 5, 2020. If … [Read more...]
Hepatitis A in Employee at E & B Discount Grocery in Hattiesburg, MS
An employee at E & B Discount Grocery at 5395 Old Highway 42 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi has been diagnosed with hepatitis A, according to a news release issued by the Mississippi State Department of Health. While infectious, that employee handled fresh produce and packaged smoked and uncooked meats. Anyone who bought those products between October 10 and October 24, 2019 may have been exposed to the virus. MSDH State Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers said in a statement, "The risk of transmission of hepatitis A in this situation is likely very low. However, as a precaution, we recommend that anyone who purchased the listed products in this time period should consider getting a hepatitis A vaccination if they have not been previously immunized. The management and staff of E & B … [Read more...]
Hepatitis A in Food Worker at Dixie Depot Courtyard Lane Deli
A food worker of Dixie Depot Courtyard Lane deli, located at 6241 Highway 613 in Lucedale, Mississippi, has been diagnosed with hepatitis A, according to the Mississippi State Department of Health. Anyone who ate there during the following dates and times may have been exposed to the virus. That employee was at the facility from August 19-21, 2019 from 2:00 pm to 10:00 pm; from August 23-24, 2019 from 2:00 pm to 10:00 pm; and from August 26-31, 2019 from 2:00 pm to 10:00 pm. MSDH State Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers said in a statement, "While the risk of transmission is likely low, the management and staff of Dixie Depot are cooperating with us to prevent new illnesses as a result of this exposure. We recommend that anyone who ate at this restaurant during these times should … [Read more...]
E. coli Outbreak at Captain Al’s in Gulfport, Mississippi
An E. coli outbreak associated with Captain Al's Steak & Shrimp restaurant in Gulfport, Mississippi has sickened dozens of people, according to the Mississippi State Department of Health. That restaurant is located at 11268 Lorraine Road. The Health Department closed the restaurant on January 3, 2017 after being informed that at least 50 people had been sickened after eating there. The notice states that "molecular testing at the Mississippi Public Health Laboratory has indicated that the causative organisms are types of E. coli referred to as enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) and enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC). These types of E. coli are not Shiga toxin-producing E.coli (STEC), but are known to cause significant diarrheal illness." The restaurant has posted a sign on its … [Read more...]
