A bartender who worked while sickened with contagious hepatitis A may have exposed Contoocook, NH residents to the virus. More than 1,100 people showed up last weekend for hepatitis A virus vaccinations. This town’s entire population is only 1,444.
Customers of both the Covered Bridge Restaurant and the American Legion in Contoocook could have been exposed to the virus by the bartender from July 20 to Aug. 3. The state’s Bureau of Infectious Diseases estimated 600 to 1,000 people were potentially exposed.
Hepatitis A vaccines are most effective if obtained as soon as possible after exposure. New Hampshire health officials urged anyone who might have been exposed to obtain a vaccine no later than Aug. 17. In addition to the vaccine clinic, the shots are available at local doctor’s offices.
The bartender has recovered and is cleared to return to work. Hepatitis A is a communicable disease that spreads from person-to-person. It is spread almost exclusively through fecal-oral contact, generally from person-to-person, or via contaminated food or water. Symptoms may not occur for several weeks after exposure and may include abdominal discomfort, fever, malaise, muscle aches, and a yellowing of the skin called jaundice. In rare cases, hepatitis A causes liver failure.
Hepatitis A is spread when food and water is contaminated with fecal matter, or through sexual contact.
After the bartender’s illness was reported to state officials on Aug. 7, state officials suggested the Covered Bridge close, which it did. In addition to cleaning, the restaurant renovated its kitchen before re-opening after inspection Aug. 14.
The restaurant did not have a policy for employees to report to supervisors if they are diagnosed with foodborne illnesses, but such a policy is not legally required in New Hampshire. The state has required school children to obtain hepatitis A vaccines since 2006.
In the past several restaurant workers have exposed their customers to hepatitis A resulting in many lawsuits.
Hepatitis A is the only foodborne illness for which a vaccine exists; however infection can only be prevented if the vaccine is given within 14 days of exposure. Therefore those individuals who were potentially exposed on March 14 and March 16 should contact a medical provider immediately to receive treatment. Those who may have been exposed prior to March 14 should have developed symptoms by now if they have contracted the virus.
From both a public health perspective and business perspective, it makes sense for restaurants to vaccinate their employees against hepatitis A.. It is much simpler to take the initial proactive precaution rather than gamble on a mass scare that equates to potential illness, loss of business, and public uncertainty.
Source Food Safety Journal and Food Safety News
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