Hepatitis A Alert
March 9, 2005
PHOENIX -The Maricopa County Department of Public Health has identified a case of hepatitis A in a food handler employed at Pepi's Pizza restaurant at 7227 S. Central Avenue in Phoenix.
Consumption of appetizers, salads and desserts at the restaurant from Friday, Jan. 21 to Sunday, Feb. 13 could have exposed members of the public to the hepatitis A virus. The employee has not worked at the restaurant since Feb. 13.
"The restaurant owner is cooperating with the department and taking the proper measures to ensure no further exposures will occur," said Dr. Doug Campos-Outcalt M.D., M.P.H., and County Chief Health Officer. "Currently, there is no health threat at Pepi's Pizza."
Hepatitis A is a viral illness that affects the liver.
Symptoms include:
Nausea
Loss of appetite
Vomiting
Fatigue
Fever
Abdominal pain
Dark colored urine
Light or whitish colored bowel movements
Jaundice, yellow color to skin or eyes.
Symptoms may develop 15 to 50 days after exposure to the virus. Anyone with these symptoms who had possible exposure should consult their health care provider and inform them of their exposure.
The illness can last for several weeks, but people generally recover completely. It may be life threatening in the elderly or those with chronic liver disease. The virus is spread by eating food or drinking water that has been contaminated. Infected food handlers can pass the virus on to other people if they do not use proper hand washing.
Hepatitis A can be prevented by a vaccine or the administration of immune globulin, an injection that can prevent the disease, if given with in two weeks of exposure. These measurers are not recommended for those exposed in this case because more than two weeks have passed. To date, there have been no other reported cases linked to this food handler. Health care providers should report hepatitis A cases to the public health department as usual.
To limit the spread of hepatitis A, and many other diseases, health officials recommend washing hands thoroughly after using the toilet or changing diapers; washing hands thoroughly before eating, touching or preparing food; and staying home if you're not feeling well.
