Health officials say eating at a New Jersey brunch restaurant could put patrons at risk for contracting a serious liver virus.
The Monmouth County Health Department said on Sept. 17 that a staff member at the Ashbury Park restaurant Cardinal Provisions tested positive for hepatitis A was notified by a health care provider to the Monmouth County Health Department. Announcement on the 27th. The employee worked at the restaurant during Sept. 11 when he contracted the virus. July, 10th and September. Health officials said on the 12th, 14th and 21st.
After receiving a call about the infection, the health department investigated the restaurant and found no “food safety violations,” officials said.
Although there were no violations, the restaurant chose to close voluntarily to give employees time to get vaccinated against the disease, health officials said.
While it is uncommon for a person to become infected by a hepatitis A-positive restaurant worker, patrons of Ashbury Park restaurants are still encouraged to get vaccinated, the release said. Vaccination should be given within two weeks of the date of potential exposure.
Ashbury Park is located approximately 55 miles south of New York City.
What you need to know about hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a short-lived virus that infects the liver, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It can be prevented through vaccination.
The CDC said there were 5,728 cases of hepatitis A reported in the United States in 2021, the most recent year for which data is available, but the agency estimates that the number of cases is more than double the number of current infections due to underreporting of the disease.
It is considered “highly contagious” and can be spread by ingesting the virus, usually through close contact with an infected person, according to the CDC. It can also be ingested through contaminated food or drinks.
People infected with hepatitis A may “feel sick for weeks to months,” according to the CDC. Most people make a full recovery without lasting liver damage. But in rare cases, the disease can cause liver failure or death. Once someone has had hepatitis A, they have lifelong immunity.
The CDC says symptoms usually appear two to seven weeks after initial infection. Some symptoms of hepatitis A include yellowing of the skin, nausea, fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, diarrhea, fatigue and joint pain.
If you suspect you have hepatitis A, the CDC recommends contacting your local healthcare provider and health department.
For those who wish to prevent the disease, the CDC recommends getting a dose of hepatitis A virus vaccine from a local provider.
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