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Health department confirms Hepatitis A at local restaurant

Nov. 09--The Beckley-Raleigh County Health Department has confirmed a case of Hepatitis A in a food service worker employed at Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen in Beckley.

According to a release from the health department, the restaurant team is working with the health department to prevent any new cases from arising in the community.

While the release said the risk of contracting Hepatitis A from visiting Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen is low, people who have not been vaccinated against Hepatitis A and who consumed food at the restaurant between Oct. 20 and Oct. 31 should consider getting the Hepatitis A vaccine not more than two weeks from the potential exposure to help prevent infection.

Inspectors were on site at the establishment and spent time talking with employees while observing food handling procedures, the release said. The restaurant is taking the proper steps to clean and sanitize the facility.

"While Hepatitis A is not easily transmitted from one person to another, we've been working closely with local health department to ensure we have all of the right processes in place to protect our team members and our guests," said William Farley, general manager of Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen in Beckley.

Hepatitis A is a viral infection of the liver that can cause loss of appetite, nausea, tiredness, fever, stomach pain, brown colored urine, and light-colored stools. Yellowing of the skin or eyes may also appear. People may have some or none of these symptoms. It could take up to 50 days after being exposed to the virus for someone to become ill, but most people experience symptoms within 28-30 days after being exposed.

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. 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.

The best means of prevention is through proper handwashing. This includes using soap and hot water, not hand sanitizer, after using the restroom and prior to handling food. Proper handwashing is the most important factor in preventing the spread of many diseases, particularly Hepatitis A.

The health department said the release was issued as a preventative and informative measure -- no cases resulting from exposure while visiting the restaurant have been reported.

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, the release said.

Persons suspecting that they have symptoms of Hepatitis A should contact their health care provider. Persons working as food handlers who experience symptoms of Hepatitis A, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or jaundice, should not work and should be seen by a health care provider. Individuals with questions should contact their personal health care provider or the Beckley-Raleigh County Health Department at 304-252-8531, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Individuals who ate at the restaurant during the timeframe can receive Hepatitis A vaccine at the Beckley-Raleigh County Health Department today, Nov. 9, until 5 p.m. Vaccines are also being made available on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018 from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m.; Tuesday, Nov. 13 and Wednesday, Nov. 14 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the health department. Hepatitis A vaccine can also be obtained from your healthcare provider or local pharmacy.

This investigation is part of a multistate outbreak of Hepatitis A. The Beckley-Raleigh County Health Department is working closely with the WV Bureau of Public Health to address cases, contacts and immunization in high risk populations.

For more information, visit hepawarewv.org.

-- Email: wholdren@register-herald.com and follow on Twitter @WendyHoldren

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Visit The Register-Herald (Beckley, W.Va.) at www.register-herald.com

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