Papa John’s hepatitis A alert after employee gets highly contagious infection
CUSTOMERS at a Papa John’s Pizza location might have been exposed to hepatitis A after an employee was diagnosed with the virus.
An employee worked at the pizza joint’s location in from January 28 until February 11 while infectious, state revealed today.
“Customers who ate at the restaurant or received a pizza delivery on those days may have been exposed to hepatitis A,” the state’s Department of Health said in a .
People typically get the from person-to-person contact, or from contaminated food or water.
The hepatitis A virus (HAV) causes hepatitis A, which is described as a highly contagious liver infection.
Symptoms include fatigue, low appetite, stomach pain, nausea and jaundice, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The infection is rarely deadly.
Vaccines for the infection only work within 14 days of someone becoming exposed to the virus.
Those who ate at or had delivered from the 28 until February 5 would’ve been exposed more than two weeks ago and should watch for symptoms or contact a doctor if they become sick.
Health officials said “the risk of transmission of hepatitis A in this situation is likely very low,” but as a “precaution” advise those who ate at the location from February 6 to 11 to get vaccinated for hepatitis A.
Papa John's is said to be "fully cooperating" to prevent any other illnesses.
Anyone who thinks they have been exposed can receive a free vaccination tomorrow and Friday from the De Soto County Health Department in .
There is an ongoing outbreak of hepatitis A in Mississippi “affecting those who use drugs, those who are in jail or were recently in jail, those with unstable housing or who are homeless, and men who have sex with men.”
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There have been at least 165 hepatitis A cases in the state since April 2019.
At least 70 percent of those cases, that have involved people ages two to 82, needed hospitalization.
To prevent the spread of the virus, officials say to thoroughly wash hands, including under fingernails, after using the bathroom or changing diapers, and before touching food.
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