Health Dept.: Foodworker At Florence Restaurant Had Hepatitis A

People who dined at the Popeye's restaurant on Burlington Pike recently are being urged to receive the hepatitis vaccination.

(Florence, Ky.) - Customers of a Florence restaurant are being urged to watch for symptoms of hepatitis A.

The Northern Kentucky Health Department announced Monday an employee of the Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen on Burlington Pike was recently diagnosed with the disease. The restaurant is located within the T/A Truck Stop facility just off Interstate 71/75.

Vaccinations are being recommended for people who ate at the fast-food location between March 17 and April 5.

“Anyone who consumed food or drink at Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen during the dates listed is recommended to receive a vaccination if it is within two (2) weeks of exposure as protection from becoming ill,” the health department’s notice stated.

“If it was during the dates listed but it has been longer than two weeks since the specific time you were there, it is recommended that you still get the vaccination although it will be outside the window to protect you from contracting the illness if you were exposed at this establishment.”

Hepatitis A is a viral infection of the liver that can cause loss of appetite, nausea, tiredness, fever, stomach pain, brown colored urine, light colored stools and diarrhea.  Yellowing of the skin or eyes may also appear. Although it can take up to seven weeks for symptoms to appear, some people may never exhibit them.

More information is available at https://nkyhealth.org/2019/04/08/media-advisory-hepatitis-a-in-food-worker/.

Cases of hepatitis A have been too common in Kentucky since an outbreak was identified in November 2017. Several restaurants in northern Kentucky, including others in and near Florence, have had employees infected with hep A. More than 200 cases have been diagnosed in the region.

Southeastern Indiana has not been exempt. In February, hepatitis A was diagnosed in an employee at the Taco Bell restaurant in Greendale. The diagnosis prompted Dearborn County health officials to urge people who dined at the restaurant to get the hepatitis vaccination.

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