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Hepatitis A

by Lynn Beltran in Q Health | 0 comments

Sep 02, 10

Some of the most recent public health news in Salt Lake have been inspired by a case of hepatitis A discovered in an employee at the Quiznos restaurant at 30 E. Broadway (300 S outh). Although the thought of hepatitis A in a restaurant may understandably elicit extreme amounts of fear and result in fewer “take out” meals, let’s take a moment to set the record straight on this incident, as well as the ongoing risk of hepatitis A in the community.

Hepatitis A is a viral infection that may cause acute illness of the liver. Unlike its family members hepatitis B and hepatitis C, both of which lead to chronic liver disease, hepatitis A is an acute infection — and yes, you may be vaccinated against it.

As an infectious disease, hepatitis A is fairly uncommon. Symptoms generally include yellowing skin and eyes (known as jaundice), fatigue, vomiting and dark urine. Once someone is determined to be infected with hepatitis A, they receive a dose of immune globulin to help their body mount an immune response to the virus and receive supportive care and monitoring as well. The course of illness generally lasts a few weeks at which time the immune system is able to respond to and clear the infection. Again, this is not a chronic infection.

The catalyst for recent concern occurred when a former employee of the above-mentioned Quiznos restaurant became ill and tested positive for hepatitis A at a health clinic. Hepatitis A is a reportable disease by state law, therefore an investigation was initiated. Since Public Health determined that this individual had previously worked in a restaurant, public policy required that the restaurant be notified. After notification, food safety specialists work with the restaurant to make sure that any possible contaminated food is destroyed and the restaurant goes through an extensive cleaning and decontamination process. All employees are tested for infection and receive extensive education about proper food preparation. Any food worker found to be infected with hepatitis A may not return to work until the infection has cleared; and diagnostic testing is required for clearance.

At this point, no additional cases of hepatitis A have been identified or linked to this individual case. Further, I believe a restaurant that has recently gone through this process is probably now one of the safest possible places to eat.

Since the infected individual was no longer employed at this restaurant, the exposure dates were limited and announced to the public. The exposure dates occurred during the first week in August, and the Salt Lake Valley Health Department recommends that anyone who ate at Quiznos at 30 E. Broadway during this time receive the hepatitis A vaccine. You may contact your private medical provider for the vaccine or get it through the Salt Lake Valley Health Department.

This does not mean that this restaurant is tainted or dirty. An employee at any restaurant can unknowingly become infected with hepatitis A and put the public at risk during food preparation. Hepatitis A is generally spread through fecal oral contact. This can occur through having contact with animal feces, such as those of a dog, cat or other pet. It can also be transmitted during sexual activities such as rectal sex or “rimming.” Infected individuals can then transmit to household members and others through fomite transmission — by essentially not washing their hands after using the restroom.

Given what we know about hepatitis A infection and transmission, the Salt Lake Valley Health Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Transmission recommend the hepatitis A vaccine for the following at risk groups: