A poll of working adults conducted by National Public Radio (NPR), the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and Harvard T.H. Chan School of public health has found that many people work when they are sick, even when they should stay home. This is especially problematic in the food service industry, since sick food handlers can cause serious outbreaks that can sicken many people. In addition, many working adults say that their current job adversely affects their health. And almost half of all working adults give their workplace only fair or poor ratings in efforts to reduce stress. Workers in restaurant jobs say their job has a bad impact on their stress level. In fact, 54% of restaurant workers, by far the most of any sector, say that their current job is bad for their stress … [Read more...]
Hepatitis A Exposure at Hardee’s Restaurants in South Carolina
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) says that customers who ate at two Hardee's restaurants in Spartanburg County may have been exposed to the hepatitis A virus. One location is at 12209 Greenville Highway in Lyman. Anyone who ate there between August 31 and September 15, 2015 is at risk. The other location is at 137 East Main Street in Duncan. Anyone who ate there between September 1 and September 13, 2015 is at risk. An employee who works at the Lyman restaurant was diagnosed with hepatitis A on September 17. A "close contact" of that person who works at the Duncan restaurant also was diagnosed with the illness. Anyone who ate or drank at those two locations in the time periods above could have been exposed to the virus. Dr. Anna-Kathryn Rye, … [Read more...]
Hepatitis A Warning for Pizza Cart in Cedar City, Utah
The Southwest Utah Public Health Department has confirmed that a food handler working at the Pizza Cart in Cedar City, Utah has tested positive for hepatitis A. That means that anyone who ate at that restaurant from April 29 through June 1, 2015 may have been exposed to the virus. Anyone previously vaccinated for hepatitis A is protected. Unvaccinated customers who ate there from May 20 through June 1, 2015 should receive a hepatitis A or immune globulin vaccination. This vaccine is only good for two weeks after the initial exposure. If you ate at the restaurant April 29th through May 19, 2015, monitor yourself for the symptoms of hepatitis A. They include jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin), fatigue, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. If … [Read more...]
Breakers Hotel, CA Restaurant Shut Down for Norovirus
The Sky Room at the Long Beach Breakers Hotel closed down for four days in May after a norovirus outbreak, according to the LA Times. The restaurant closed on May 22 through the 25th for cleaning. About 21 people were sickened in an outbreak that occurred between May 1 and May 9, 2015. Symptoms included nausea, watery diarrhea, headache, weakness, chills, abdominal pain, and a low fever. Three of the patients had lab-confirmed norovirus illnesses. The rest are considered "probable" cases. The restaurant followed CDC guidelines to clean, including steam cleaning furniture, the elevator, fabrics, and equipment. The sanitation process was repeated several times. No illnesses have been reported since May 9. Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that is spread through person to person … [Read more...]
Hepatitis A at Dogwood Southern Table in Charlotte, NC
An employee at the Dogwood Southern Table and Bar at 4905 Ashley Park Lane in Charlotte, North Carolina has been diagnosed with hepatitis A. This person didn't prepare food, but cleaned silverware and drink ware and delivered it to tables. Those items could have been contaminated with the virus. If you ate there on Tuesday, February 3, 2015 for dinner service or Wednesday, February 4, 2015 for dinner, you may have been exposed to the virus. The last day for vaccinations to prevent illness is Tuesday, February 17, 2015 for those who ate there 2/3/15, and Wednesday, February 18, 2015 for those who ate there 2/4/15. Hepatitis A or immune globulin vaccinations are only effective if given within two weeks of exposure. Contact your doctor for more information. The symptoms of a hepatitis A … [Read more...]
Salmonella Outbreak Associated with Delaney House Restaurant in MA
According to WWLP.com, a Salmonella outbreak is being investigated at the Delaney House restaurant in Holyoke, Massachusetts. Nineteen confirmed cases of salmonellosis and additional pending cases have been traced back to events held at that facility. In addition, five employees who handle food and one non-foodhandling employee tested positive for the bacteria. State and local health departments are conducting an investigation. Owners of the restaurant are cooperating with the investigation. Those sickened ate at ten events held at the restaurant between November 11 and November 15, 2014. The restaurant is not closing. The restaurant owners were notified on November 18, 2014 that one of their patrons was experiencing the symptoms of a Salmonella infection. No new cases have been … [Read more...]
Hepatitis A Vaccination Clinic for Hamilton, NJ Residents
Mayor Kelly A. Yaede has announced a hepatitis A vaccination clinic for Hamilton, New Jersey residents after an employee at Rosa's Restaurant and Catering was diagnosed with the illness. The restaurant is located on South Broad Street in Hamilton. Anyone who ate at the restaurant between November 10, 2014 and December 1, 2014 is urged to attend. A hepatitis A or immune globulin vaccination is only good for two weeks after exposure, so if you visited that restaurant before November 19, 2014 they will not work. You need to monitor yourself for the symptoms of hepatitis A, which include fever, nausea, diarrhea, light colored stools, dark urine, yellow eyes and skin (jaundice), tiredness, loss of appetite, and abdominal cramps. If you do experience these symptoms, see your doctor. Anyone … [Read more...]
Thirty People Ill After Eating at Nassau Inn in Princeton, NJ
The Princeton Health Department is reporting that 30 people said they were sick with a gastrointestinal illness after eating at the Nassau Inn on Thanksgiving or the day after, according to Planet Princeton. Norovirus is suspected. The Inn was inspected on Monday, December 1, 2014. The illnesses have not yet been confirmed with laboratory testing. The time frame for illness onset, the symptoms, and recovery time all point to norovirus, which is the most common cause of GI illnesses during the winter. The inspection found only minor issues that most likely did not cause the illnesses. The symptoms of norovirus include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, and low grade fever. It's often called the "24 hour flu", but there is no such illness. The common cold is the only … [Read more...]
Ground Round Restaurants in MN Closed for Norovirus Outbreak
A Ground Round restaurant in Winona County, Minnesota has closed after a "community norovirus outbreak" has sickened at least 30 people. The Minnesota Health Department said that they learned of the outbreak on September 30, 2014, but the illnesses may have started before that date. The outbreak was apparently confined to those people who ate at the Ground Round restaurant in Winona. But the outbreak is not officially linked to a single source, location, or event and will likely increase. The restaurant voluntarily closed so they could deep clean. There is no word on whether any employees were ill or if others in the community are sick. Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that spreads easily during the cold months, as more people spend time together indoors. Norovirus symptoms … [Read more...]
Kansas Measles Outbreak Associated with Restaurant
A measles outbreak has been associated with a restaurant in Wichita, Kansas. At least 11 cases have been reported in Sedgwick and Johnson counties to date. The disease is very contagious to anyone who has not been vaccinated. In fact, if one person who has the illness goes out in public, 90% of people who come close to that person will catch it. The illness is contagious from four days before to four days after a rash appears. An employee at Sal's Japanese Steakhouse at 6829 East Kellogg Drive in Wichita was diagnosed with the disease earlier this month. Public health officials ask that if you or anyone you know ate at that restaurant on June 20, 23, 25, 29, July 3, 5, and 7, 2014 and developed an illness with fever and rash, contact your doctor immediately. The measles virus is spread … [Read more...]
