Health officials in Provincetown, Massachusetts, issued a warning of potential exposure to hepatitis A on Saturday, after a food service worker was infected with the virus.In a statement, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment and the Provincetown Board of Health warned anyone who dined at The Red Inn at 15 Commercial St. in Provincetown between April 30 and May 15, that they may have been exposed to hepatitis A and should contact their healthcare provider.According to the DPH statement, the food service worker at the restaurant who worked during those dates has a confirmed infection with the hepatitis A virus.As hepatitis A is highly contagious, the DPH urged customers who may have been exposed to the virus to contact their health care provider immediately to receive appropriate medical treatment.The DPH said preventive measures against the hepatitis A virus include the hepatitis A vaccine and hepatitis A immune globulin.However, the DPH said these are generally only effective at preventing hepatitis A infection if given within two weeks of exposure, prior to symptom onset.The DPH said early signs and symptoms of hepatitis A include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and jaundice (dark urine, yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes). Hepatitis A typically varies in severity, with mild cases lasting two weeks or less and more severe cases lasting four to six weeks or longer.Additionally, the DPH said some people, particularly children, may not develop jaundice and may have an illness so mild that it can go unnoticed.However, the DPH said even mildly sick people can still be highly infectious, and people who become sick with hepatitis-like symptoms should consult a health care provider, even if the symptoms are mild.Hepatitis A can be spread between people through food handling, and the DPH said it can be spread by contaminated food and beverages. The DPH advises customers who dine at The Red Inn between April 30 and May 15 to practice thorough handwashing, especially before preparing food, to avoid any potential further spread of the virus.
Health officials in Provincetown, Massachusetts, issued a warning of potential exposure to hepatitis A on Saturday, after a food service worker was infected with the virus.
In a statement, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment and the Provincetown Board of Health warned anyone who dined at The Red Inn at 15 Commercial St. in Provincetown between April 30 and May 15, that they may have been exposed to hepatitis A and should contact their healthcare provider.
According to the DPH statement, the food service worker at the restaurant who worked during those dates has a confirmed infection with the hepatitis A virus.
As hepatitis A is highly contagious, the DPH urged customers who may have been exposed to the virus to contact their health care provider immediately to receive appropriate medical treatment.
The DPH said preventive measures against the hepatitis A virus include the hepatitis A vaccine and hepatitis A immune globulin.
However, the DPH said these are generally only effective at preventing hepatitis A infection if given within two weeks of exposure, prior to symptom onset.
The DPH said early signs and symptoms of hepatitis A include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and jaundice (dark urine, yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes). Hepatitis A typically varies in severity, with mild cases lasting two weeks or less and more severe cases lasting four to six weeks or longer.
Additionally, the DPH said some people, particularly children, may not develop jaundice and may have an illness so mild that it can go unnoticed.
However, the DPH said even mildly sick people can still be highly infectious, and people who become sick with hepatitis-like symptoms should consult a health care provider, even if the symptoms are mild.
Hepatitis A can be spread between people through food handling, and the DPH said it can be spread by contaminated food and beverages. The DPH advises customers who dine at The Red Inn between April 30 and May 15 to practice thorough handwashing, especially before preparing food, to avoid any potential further spread of the virus.