Local health officials are urging some Pine Knob concertgoers to get vaccinated against hepatitis A, saying lab tests have confirmed a case of the virus linked to the outdoor music venue.
The Oakland County Health Department reported the test results Thursday after receiving an alert about a suspected case of hepatitis A earlier this month.
The person who tested positive is associated with the Ivy Lounge at Pine Knob, an area open to seasonal membership holders and their guests. Officials are telling anyone who consumed food at the lounge between Aug. 26 and Sept. 8 You should monitor yourself for symptoms and urge unvaccinated people to get vaccinated.
“For anyone who has not been vaccinated against hepatitis A, we encourage them to get vaccinated to prevent future exposure to hepatitis A,” said Oakland County Medical Director Dr. Russell Foster.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the incubation period for hepatitis A averages about 28 days, but can be as long as 15 to 50 days. For unvaccinated people, it is recommended that they get vaccinated within two weeks of exposure.
People attending the September 8 concert featuring country music singer Jason Aldean still need to be vaccinated by Saturday, the health department said.
“The vaccination window to prevent hepatitis A disease ends tomorrow for those who attended the Jason Aldean concert and dined at the Ivy Lounge.”
The vaccine is available at health department offices at North Oakland Health Center, 1200 North Telegraph Road, Pontiac, North Oakland Health Center, 34 East Building, Pontiac, and South Oakland Health Center, 27725 Greenfield Road, Southfield Buy.
Vaccination fees will be charged to those who are not eligible for federal or state programs that cover the cost of vaccinations, but the health department said “no one will be denied services because of their inability to pay.”
Hepatitis A is a liver infection caused by a virus. The virus is excreted in feces and is most commonly spread from person to person through contaminated hands. Symptoms include sudden abdominal pain, fatigue, diarrhea, nausea, headache, dark urine and vomiting, followed by yellowing of the skin and eyes, according to the health department.
Symptoms may appear two to six weeks after exposure, with the average duration being about one month. In rare cases of hepatitis A infection, those with severe illness or a compromised immune system may progress to liver failure.
Some ways to reduce the spread of hepatitis A include washing hands and disinfecting surfaces. Patients should avoid preparing food for two weeks after the onset of symptoms.
A full list of concerts and dates is below for those exposed to monitoring symptoms.
- August 26 – Lynyrd Skynyrd
- August 29 – Arctic Monkeys
- August 30 – Foreigners
- September. 1 – uneasy
- September. 2 – Baker and Phoenix Concert
- September. 3 – Pentatonic Scale
- September. 5 – Rob Zombie
- September. 6 – Smashing Pumpkin
Staff writer Louis Aguilar contributed.