By Casey Ross
November 28, 2004
A Market Basket deli worker in Andover has been diagnosed with highly contagious hepatitis A, but health officials say there is no threat to the public.
A female meat cutter went home sick last week and later tested positive for the liver disease, according to supermarket managers. Nine other deli workers in the store have received precautionary treatments, and none has fallen ill.
Andover public health officials were notified of the diagnosis Monday and have been working with supermarket officials to ensure the disease does not spread.

Hepatitis A is a viral disease that makes the liver swell and typically causes fever, fatigue, nausea and jaundice.
So far this year, about 830 cases of hepatitis A have been reported in Massachusetts, which is slightly higher than average. Outbreaks from food workers are considered rare, because most are required to wear rubber gloves and frequently wash their hands.
Market Basket officials say the infected employee must get clearance from a doctor before returning to work. The other deli workers at the store have been treated with immune globulin – although that step is not recommended for customers.