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MINERAL WELLS -- A case of hepatitis A has been confirmed in an employee at Cracker Barrel in Mineral Wells.
The Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department said this morning that the risk of contracting hepatitis A from the restaurant is low, but people who have not been vaccinated against the viral infection of the liver and consumed food there between Oct. 15-21 are advised to continue getting the vaccine.
To help prevent infection, the vaccine should be administered not more than two weeks from the potential exposure. Today is the two-week mark from the first potential exposure date.
A health department assessment found the risk to restaurant patrons was low, the release says. The restaurant voluntarily closed to clean and sanitize and was reopened after a health department inspection, it says.
No cases of exposure from Cracker Barrel have been reported.
A hepatitis A infection can cause loss of appetite, nausea, tiredness, fever, stomach pain, brown-colored urine, light-colored stools and yellowing of the skin or eyes. It could take up to 50 days for symptoms to appear, if they do at all, but most people experience symptoms within 28 to 30 days of exposure, the release says.
“Hepatitis A usually spreads when a person unknowingly ingests the virus from objects, food or drinks contaminated by small, undetected amounts of stool from an infected person,” it says. “The virus spreads when an infected person does not wash his/her hands adequately after using the toilet, changing diapers or engages in behaviors that increase risk of infection.”
Proper handwashing using hot soap and water after using the restroom and prior to handling food is the best way to prevent spreading hepatitis A, the release says. Hand sanitizer alone is not effective.
The investigation is part of a multistate hepatitis A outbreak, the release says.
“Most cases reported throughout the state have been person-to-person contact occurring primarily among people who are transients, those who are homeless, persons who use injection and non-injection drugs, and their close direct contacts,” it says.
People with questions are advised to contact their personal health care provider or the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department at 304-485-7374, ext. 118
More information about hepatitis A is available online at www.hepawarewv.org.