New Jersey restaurant worker tests positive for hepatitis A, customers demand vaccination

An employee at an Asbury Park restaurant has tested positive for hepatitis A, and the Monmouth County Health Department has asked anyone dining there to be cautious.

An investigation by the department found that an employee at Cardinal Provisions, a brunch restaurant on Bangs Avenue, worked on Sept. 17 while he was infected. According to a news release from Monmouth County, it will be held from the 7th to the 10th, 12th, 14th, 17th, 19th and 21st.

Health department staff went to the restaurant to inspect and found no evidence of food safety violations, but the restaurant voluntarily closed and did not reopen until all exposed employees had been vaccinated.

The county is asking anyone who dined at the restaurant on any date when the employee was contagious to consider getting vaccinated within two weeks of the last date of exposure and to monitor their health for symptoms of hepatitis A infection for up to 50 days after the exposure. They are also asked to wash their hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water, especially after using the bathroom and before preparing food. The department also advises anyone experiencing symptoms to stay home and consult a doctor.

While it is uncommon for restaurant patrons to become infected with hepatitis A virus from infected food handlers, the virus can be contracted through ingestion of contaminated food and water or through direct contact with an infected person.

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, county officials said. Yellowing of the skin or eyes is another possible symptom.

People can become sick for up to seven weeks after being exposed to the virus.

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chris shelton can be reached csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.