The Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County (DOH-Pinellas) has identified a positive case of hepatitis A in a food service worker at Arby’s Restaurant in north Pinellas, FL. The employee may have exposed patrons between April 5 – 20, 2019.
DOH-Pinellas conducted an epidemiological investigation and today determined the individual who worked at Arby’s Restaurant, 30263 US Highway 19 N., Clearwater 33761, between April 5 and 20 may have been infectious.
If you frequented this restaurant during that period and have not previously been vaccinated for hepatitis A, you should consider getting vaccinated. You will receive the first dose of the hepatitis A immunization. The second dose is provided six months after the first. If you have previously received the hepatitis A vaccine you do not need to take additional action.
Hepatitis A vaccine may provide protection against the disease if given within two weeks after exposure. Patrons should monitor for symptoms of hepatitis A infection which include sudden onset of abdominal discomfort, dark urine, fever, diarrhea, pale white stools, and yellow skin and eyes (jaundice). Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek medical attention promptly.
DOH-Pinellas will open a special hepatitis A vaccination clinic at its Clearwater location, 310 N. Myrtle Ave. Hours Saturday, May 4, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Those with questions about exposure to hepatitis A at Arby’s can call
727-824-6932. Messages will be returned within 12 hours.
DOH-Pinellas continues to offer the hepatitis A vaccine at no cost and without an appointment at these clinic locations from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays:
St. Petersburg: 205 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N
Pinellas Park: 6350 76th Ave. N
Mid-County (Largo): 8751 Ulmerton Rd
Clearwater: 310 N. Myrtle Ave
Tarpon Springs: 301 S. Disston Ave
DOH-Pinellas is encouraging all healthcare providers, including hospital emergency departments to stay on high alert and immediately report cases to DOH-Pinellas.
Vaccination is the best way to prevent hepatitis A. People who should be vaccinated for hepatitis A include:
Contact your county’s health department for hepatitis A vaccinations if you live outside Pinellas.
All children at the age of 12 months
People who are experiencing homelessness
Users of recreational drugs, whether injected or not
Men who have sexual encounters with other men
People with direct contact with others who have hepatitis A
Travelers to countries where hepatitis A is common
People with chronic or long-term liver disease, including hepatitis B or hepatitis C
People with clotting-factor disorders
Family and caregivers of adoptees from countries where hepatitis A is common
What is Hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is a highly contagious disease that attacks the liver. People infected with hepatitis A are most contagious from two weeks before onset of symptoms to one week afterwards. Not everyone who is infected will have all the symptoms. Symptoms usually start within 28 days of exposure to the virus with a range of 15-50 days.
Symptoms can include:
Jaundice (yellowing skin and whites of eyes)
Fever
Diarrhea
Fatigue/tired
Loss of appetite
Nausea and vomiting
Stomach pain
Dark-colored urine
Pale or clay colored stool
How is hepatitis A treated or hepatitis A infection prevented?
Hepatitis A vaccine is the best method of preventing infection.
No medicines can cure the disease once symptoms appear.
People with hepatitis A symptoms should seek medical care immediately.
Most people get better over time but may need to be hospitalized.
Previous infection with hepatitis A provides immunity for the rest of a person’s life.
People that are exposed to hepatitis A may be given vaccine or immune globulin within 14 days of exposure to prevent infection.