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Hepatitis A exposure in local restaurant

By Wayne County Department of Health / Published December 26, 2011

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GOLDSBORO, N.C. --
Possible Exposure to Hepatitis A at Fruity Yogurt Restaurant in Goldsboro, North Carolina.
 
People who ate at Fruity Yogurt located at 317 Spence Avenue Goldsboro, NC on December 7, 2011 might have been exposed to Hepatitis A and are being asked to come to a clinic at Wayne County Health Department, 301 N. Herman Street, Goldsboro, NC for a vaccine or shot that could prevent them from getting sick. The exposure might have occurred on December 7, 2011 because of an infection in an employee who was diagnosed on December 14, 2011. Those potentially exposed could experience symptoms as early as December 21, 2011 and as late as January 25, 2012.

Those who have had a Hepatitis A infection or Hepatitis A vaccine are protected from the virus and do not need to take additional actions.

Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by the Hepatitis A virus. Hepatitis vaccine is very effective in reducing the risk of disease when administered within 14 days of the last day of exposure.

Hepatitis A is usually spread by eating or drinking items that have been contaminated with the virus or by close personal contact with an infected person. Symptoms appear 2-7 weeks after exposure and commonly include fever, a feeling of being unwell, loss of appetite, diarrhea, nausea and abdominal discomfort; urine may become darker in color and jaundice (a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes) may appear. Some individuals, especially children, may not develop jaundice, and may have an illness so mild that it can go unnoticed. However, even mildly ill persons can still be highly infectious. While it can be avoided if the vaccine or shot described above are given within two weeks of exposure, there is no specific treatment once a person has Hepatitis A. Most people recover without complications after several weeks. People who have pre-existing liver problems, especially those who have Hepatitis C, can become extremely ill if they contract Hepatitis A. Anyone who experiences these symptoms should see their doctor.

Careful hand washing is key to preventing spread of Hepatitis A and should include vigorous washing of hands with soap and running water for minimum of 20 seconds. All surfaces should be washed including the back of the hands, wrists, between fingers and under fingernails. This is especially important after using the washroom and before handling food. Anyone who may have been exposed is strongly encouraged to follow this practice to reduce the risk of spreading illness to others.

For more information, please call Carolyn King at 919-731-1290 at the Wayne County Health Department. For general information see http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/A/index.htm.

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