Wellness

[gertrudecloset]

An outbreak of hepatitis A has sickened at least 50 people in Virginia, with one person dying and another needing a liver transplant. The cases have been tied to a restaurant employee who worked at several locations of a local chain. Though the spread of the outbreak is now thought to be largely contained, more cases may show up, health officials have cautioned.

The first reports of the outbreak emerged in late September, when officials with the Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts announced that 10 people had been sickened with the viral illness. These cases were all traced back to a restaurant chain known as Famous Anthony’s. Their investigation eventually identified the likely source: an employee who had worked recently at three different locations where cases had been found and had tested positive for the virus.

The original infection occurred in August, with subsequent victims being exposed through August 27. Because the virus has an incubation period of up to 50 days, and no further cases have been identified as of October 15, officials say they’re confident that the chain of transmission has ended. But since a minority of people can remain symptomatic up to six months later, it’s possible that more cases tied to the original outbreak will be reported in the future. It’s also possible that more secondary infections will be found. Forty-nine of the 50 cases have been traced back to Famous Anthony’s, but one case was likely caught from a person sickened at the restaurant.

Source: Microsoft

[skatting44]

 There is a vaccine for Hepatitis A  which is available.

Hepatitis A  is transmitted from poor hand hygeine  

[skatting44]

 CDC website   info    cdc.gov/hepatitis/hav/afaq.htm

[Mindy D]

You should know that alcohol based hand sanitizers are ineffective against the Hepatitis A virus. You should also know that it can take many weeks after exposure for illness to show up. The virus is spread by the fecal oral route. This can be spread when an infected person touches objects and an uninfected person later touches the same objects. The infected person spreads this by leaving tiny amounts of fecal matter on the objects. The persons that touch the objects then transfer the virus to their mouths. An infected person can spread it to food he or she is preparing or serving. It is also spread during intimate contact. Restrooms can harbor the virus for long periods of time. Disinfection of restrooms and public places entails the application of 1 2/3 Cups of chlorine bleach to 1 gallon of water. Gloves should be worn when disinfecting surfaces. Towels can harbor the virus. Wash in water with chlorine bleach. Infected persons should use their own towels, glass, utensils, bathroom. Hand washing is very important in cutting down the spread of the virus but there is vaccination for this. It is a two vaccination protocol. Once vaccinated, adult immunity lasts approximately 25 years. 

An excellent overview of Hepatitis A is available here on the San Diego Health Department's website. https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/dam/sdc/hhsa/programs/phs/documents/Hep_A_FAQs.pdf

[Mistreatedbycs]

One of my former bosses that that, and it's contagious from what I remember.

It affected his memory and he had a lot of issues with his back.

That's pretty serious.

Unfortunately we are going to hear more and more just due to the increased population.

[CatsyCline]

My sister got HEP A when she worked as a waitress at a HO JOs . She was 19 or 20 and hospitalized for a while. At the time the reason given was no hot water in the restaurant. but now it looks like someone handling food was sick. this was 40 yrs ago.

[FastDogWalker2]

When I was pregnant in 1988, there was a Hepatitis outbreak in our VA city.  I was very concerned and cautious.  It, too, was linked to restaurants - Taco Bell if I remember correctly.