July 2004

Thursday, July 15, 2004
By Christopher Snowbeck, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The state Department of Health is asking Chi-Chi’s Inc. to pay more than $146,000 to cover costs the state incurred providing preventive shots during last fall’s hepatitis A outbreak at the chain’s Beaver Valley Mall restaurant.
In a court filing last week, the state said it

By Thomas Lake
The Salem News
Staff
DANVERS – Growing fears of foodborne hepatitis A have led Italian restaurant chain VinnyT’s of Boston to give kitchen workers a vaccine generally reserved for those traveling to Third World countries.
A visiting nurse vaccinated 26 kitchen workers at VinnyT’s in the Liberty Tree Mall on Monday, restaurant manager John Tynan said. The chain is one of the first in the state to give its workers the vaccine, though others are considering the measure.
New hepatitis A infections nearly quintupled to 285 in the first five months of 2004, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Officials can’t fully explain the sharp rise.
“Just in the Boston area, (hepatitis A) is almost an epidemic right now,” Tynan said. “Going the extra mile for safety is worth it.”
The vaccine consists of two shots costing $70 to $100 each. According to the federal Centers for Disease Control, the vaccination is not recommended for people unless they use street drugs, have male homosexual intercourse, or travel to high-risk countries such as those in Africa, Central or South America, Asia (except Japan), the Caribbean, Mexico and southern or eastern Europe.Continue Reading Restaurant workers vaccinated for hepatitis A

Massport head, councilor exposed
By Donovan Slack, Globe Staff | July 13, 2004
Councilor Paul Scapicchio just wanted to give the head honcho at the Massachusetts Port Authority a firsthand look at what a taxi driver’s life is like. But when Scapicchio, who recently earned his hackney license, gave Massport chief executive Craig P. Coy a lift to the airport in his cab two weeks ago, both got more than they bargained for.
The two stopped in for a Reuben sandwich and a slice of pizza at the taxi pool restaurant, a tiny lunch counter at the airport where drivers eat between fares. Now, both officials will be lining up with as many as 3,000 taxi drivers to get shots to stave off hepatitis A.
“I wanted to show him life for Boston taxi drivers can be tough,” Scapicchio said. “I never realized just how tough it can be.”
Emergency Medical Services trucks were stationed outside the Taxi Pool Caf yesterday, manned by city health workers distributing information about the disease.Continue Reading Hepatitis A alert for cabbies also taps 2 who wield power

By Marie Szaniszlo
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
Boston cab drivers lashed out yesterday at the Taxi Pool Cafe at Logan International Airport for failing to notify them that one of its employees had hepatitis A.
Drivers who stopped by the restaurant over the weekend found “closed for renovations” signs on the doors, but no mention

By Marie Szaniszlo
Monday, July 12, 2004
Boston public health officials yesterday announced a second confirmed case of hepatitis A in a city food worker in 10 days – an employee at a Logan International Airport restaurant where as many as 3,000 cabbies may have eaten over a five-day period.
The Boston Public Health Commission

Article Last Updated: Monday, July 12, 2004 – 11:32:04 AM EST
By JULIE MEHEGAN, Sun Statehouse Bureau
BOSTON There are simple ways to prevent transmission of the liver disease hepatitis A, say public health officials, who are urging people to practice good hygiene to avoid infection.
The state Department of Public Health has been working overtime to inform Massachusetts residents about hepatitis A after several cases in which restaurant employees unknowingly infected with the virus reported to work, placing patrons at risk.
In Arlington and Boston in recent weeks, hundreds of diners have waited hours in long lines for a shot of immune globulin, meant to prevent transmission of hepatitis A after contact with an infected person.
The incidents, at separate restaurants, have prompted curiosity and concern about an illness that can result in serious liver damage.
“To me, the most important thing that people should take away from all this is you should wash your hands after you go to the bathroom,” said Bela Matyas, M.D., medical director of the epidemiology program at the state Department of Public Health.Continue Reading Health officials push hygiene in the wake of hepatitis cases

Town Sets Up Clinic For Inoculations
The Boston Channel
BOSTON — For the second time in less than a month, a restaurant worker in Arlington, Mass., has been diagnosed with hepatitis A.
Two weeks ago, hundreds of people lined up for inoculations after a worker at the Arlington Friendly’s tested positive for the disease.
Now,

By Kay Lazar
The Boston Herald
Friday, July 2, 2004
Three high-profile cases of restaurant workers infected with hepatitis A in the past three weeks is prompting anxious Massachusetts restaurant owners to seek vaccinations for their employees to guard against further illnesses.
“It’s on everyone’s mind,” Peter Christie, president of the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, said yesterday.
Christie said he has been negotiating with vaccine makers this week in hopes of finding affordable vaccines and health care workers to administer them.Continue Reading Eateries scramble in wake of hepatitis outbreaks

Officials Urging Patrons To Get Vaccination
POSTED: 7:21 am EDT July 1, 2004
STONEHAM, Mass. — Stoneham health officials are investigating a confirmed case of hepatitis A.
SYMPTOMS
Jaundice
Fatigue
Abdominal pain
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Diarrhea
Fever
RESOURCES
Overview
CDC Info.
LOCAL RESOURCES
Mass. Hepatitis Hot Line
888-443-4372
Mass. Department Of Public Health
It’s the third such incident in Massachusetts in recent weeks.
In the latest case, an employee of J.J. Grimsby’s Restaurant on the Stoneham-Melrose, Mass., border tested positive for the disease.Continue Reading Third Case Of Restaurant Hepatitis Confirmed

ARLINGTON
By Christine McConville, Globe Staff | July 1, 2004
A spokewoman for the company that owns Friendly’s restaurants said this week the firm is willing to reimburse Arlington for the cost of giving immune globulin injections to some 2,800 people last month after a waitress at the company’s restaurant at 105 Broadway contracted hepatitis