Hepatitis A Public Health Advisory
The Clark County Health Department was notified today and is
investigating a case involving a diagnosis of Hepatitis A in a food service
worker at the Applebee’s, located at 1525 W. Lexington Ave. in Winchester,
KY. Customers who ate at the restaurant November 14- November 25, 2018
are advised to get a hepatitis A vaccination:
While it is
relatively uncommon for restaurant customers to become infected with the
hepatitis A virus due to an infected food handler, anyone who consumed food or
drink at these locations during the stated time period is advised to get a
hepatitis A vaccination.
Applebee’s restaurant owners and employees have cooperated
fully with local health officials. The ill staff is not working at the
restaurant and will remain off work until cleared to return. Environmental
Health staff has worked with the restaurant to ensure proper cleaning of the
facility and reviewed recommendations regarding employee health and exclusion
of ill workers going forward.
Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that is usually
spread when a person unknowingly eats or drinks something contaminated by small
amounts of stool from an infected person. Washing your hands with soap and warm
water after using the bathroom, changing a diaper or before making food and
drinks can help stop the spread of hepatitis A.
Symptoms of hepatitis A are fatigue, decreased appetite,
stomach pain, nausea, darkened urine, pale stools and jaundice (yellowing of
the skin and eyes). People can become ill 15-50 days after being exposed to the
virus. Anyone experiencing symptoms should seek medical attention.
The best ways to prevent hepatitis A are to get vaccinated
and to practice good hand washing. The Clark County Health Department
recommends the hepatitis A vaccination for everyone in the community as the number of cases in the region and throughout
the state continues to climb. The health department will be working with the
restaurants at the above locations to provide hepatitis A vaccinations for
their employees.
The hepatitis A vaccine is available at most pharmacies and
medical providers. For additional information, you may contact the
Clark County Health Department at (859) 744-4482 and like the Clark County
Health Department page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Clark-County-Health-Department.
