Asbury Park restaurant worker tests positive for hepatitis A

A healthcare provider notified MCHD that an employee employed by Cardinal Provisions, a restaurant located at 513 Bangs Ave. in Asbury Park, tested positive for hepatitis A.

The employee worked on September 17 while he was infected. 7 to 10, 12, 14, 17, 19 and 21.

Staff from the Municipal Health Commission went to the site to inspect and found no food safety violations. The facility voluntarily closed its operations and will not reopen until all exposed employees have been vaccinated.

While it is uncommon for restaurant patrons to become infected with the hepatitis A virus from infected food handlers, anyone who consumed food or drink at Cardinal Provisions during the above period should consider contacting them within two weeks of the date of last exposure. Get vaccinated, MCHD says.

They should also monitor their health for symptoms of hepatitis A infection for 50 days after exposure, wash their hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water, especially after using the bathroom and before preparing food, and stay home and contact Healthcare Provider. If symptoms of hepatitis A infection occur, seek medical advice immediately.

Hepatitis A is a viral infection of the liver that can cause loss of appetite, nausea, tiredness, fever, stomach pain, brown urine, and light-colored stools.

The skin or eyes may turn yellow. People can become sick for up to seven weeks after being exposed to the virus. If you are experiencing symptoms related to hepatitis A, MCHD recommends that you contact your health care provider.

Editor’s note: A previous version of this story said a health care worker tested positive for hepatitis A, but in fact, he was a restaurant worker. This story has been updated.

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