Gwinnett County health department warns of hepatitis exposure at Lawrenceville restaurant

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. (Atlanta News 1st) – The Gwinnett County Health Department is warning those who recently visited a Lawrenceville restaurant that they may have been infected with hepatitis.

The health department said a server at Lolita’s Bar and Grill on Buford Drive has been diagnosed with hepatitis A. The health department said those who visited the restaurant between Oct. 24 and Nov. 7 may have been infected and “should contact their health care provider or the Gwinnett County Health Department to determine if they need to Hepatitis vaccine to prevent disease.”

For those who visited restaurants during this time, the health department is asking them to do the following:

• Get hepatitis A vaccine within 14 days of exposure if you have not had hepatitis A vaccine before or have had hepatitis A before – those who have been vaccinated or have had hepatitis A before are considered immune and are not Need to be vaccinated again
• Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and warm water, especially after using the bathroom and before preparing food
• Monitor for symptoms of hepatitis A infection for 50 days after exposure

Hepatitis A is a contagious viral infection with a variety of symptoms, including loss of appetite, nausea, tiredness and fever, the health department said. Symptoms usually begin two to seven weeks after exposure and may last less than two months or up to six months. The health department said people experiencing symptoms should stay home and contact their healthcare provider or health department immediately.

“It’s important to note that the likelihood of transmission in this setting is minimal. However, we cannot say there is no risk,” said Alana, chief clinical officer for the health departments of Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale counties. Alana Sulka said.

The health department said the restaurant has been cooperating with the investigation. Health department officials said the restaurant has taken “proactive steps, including scheduling immunizations for vulnerable employees and thoroughly cleaning and sanitizing the restaurant.”

A manager at the restaurant told News 1 Atlanta they have no comment but are working with health officials.

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