Posted on September 26, 2006 by Hepatitis A Lawyer
Tue 26 Sep 2006
A total of 1324 hepatitis A cases were registered in the region of Plovdiv, Dnevnik newspaper reported.
The hepatitis cases in the city of Plovdiv were 933. The number increased by 17 only for a day.
The majority of the infected people lived in the Roma-populated neighbourhoods of Stolipinovo and Sheker mahala, Dnevnik said.
Some parents in Plovdiv refused to let their children to school as they had to study together with Roma students.
The Roma students, living in the potentially dangerous districts, were vaccinated against hepatitis on September 14, but the process of immunity building took two weeks, Dnevnik said.
Another four hepatitis cases were registered in the town of Karlovo. The number of hepatitis infections in the town reached 57, Dnevnik said.
Posted on September 26, 2006 by Hepatitis A Lawyer
September 26, 2006
Citizen-Times
Over the past several years, Buncombe County has had several high-profile hepatitis A scares associated with local restaurants.
That makes it an economic as well as a health issue.
Hepatitis A scares do nothing to enhance the area’s appeal as a tourist destination and also discourage locals from eating out. The impact on restaurants can be devastating, as demonstrated a few weeks ago with the closing of Trevi Pasta Seafood & Pizza in Biltmore Forest following the discovery that one of the restaurant’s food service workers had the disease.
The question is: Why do there seem to be a larger number of such scares in our region and what can be done to reduce them?
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Posted on September 22, 2006 by Hepatitis A Lawyer
22.sep.06
Cape Breton Post
Parents are getting letters from a Sydney, Nova Scotia, elementary school advising them how to prevent the transmission of hepatitis A after one of its students and a family member tested positive for the virus.
Dr. Shelly Sarwal, the medical officer of health, said there is no need for panic but people should practise diligent hand-washing to prevent its spread while health professionals search for more cases.
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Posted on September 22, 2006 by Hepatitis A Lawyer
September 22, 2006
The Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne, IN)
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/journalgazette/15579143.htm
A local Pizza Hut gave away “thousands” of pizzas in a promotional deal to remedy slumping sales in the aftermath of a hepatitis A diagnosis involving a server at the restaurant last month.
Coventry Pizza Hut, near Interstate 69 and U.S. 24, had a line extending into its parking lot and a parking lot overflowing with cars Thursday, said Dave Bobilya, chief financial officer for Pizza Hut of Fort Wayne Inc. That was the last day customers could use a coupon included with a letter of community appreciation that ran in a full-page ad in the Sept. 10 editions of The Journal Gazette.
“There’s just been so much demand,” said Bobilya, who declined to give specific sales figures. A medium one-topping pizza typically costs
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Posted on September 21, 2006 by Hepatitis A Lawyer
Wed, Sep. 20, 2006
The FDA's alarm is extreme, area farmers say, and threatens their harvest this month.
By Edward Colimore, Michael Klein and Dianna Marder
Inquirer Staff Writers
Farmer Jamie Graiff of Gloucester County surveys his crop of baby leaf spinach. Usually, he would sell 14,000 pounds a week. As the Food and Drug Administration urges consumers to avoid all fresh spinach - bagged, bunched, organic, and otherwise - local farmers say the FDA actions may be unnecessarily extreme.
Pennsylvania and New Jersey farmers are poised to harvest their crops as early as this week, but supermarkets in both state are not buying in the wake of a particularly nasty outbreak of E. coli contamination.
The grocery shelves have been stripped, and the restaurant associations in both states say spinach should be off the menu entirely for now.
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Posted on September 21, 2006 by Hepatitis A Lawyer
September 19, 2006
Ontario Inland Valley Bulletin (CA)
Joe Blackstock
POMONA -- Individuals who ate at a north Pomona restaurant in August are being urged by county officials to get tested for acute Hepatitis A if they suffer from symptoms of the disease.
Three patrons, who ate at the Senor Baja eatery at 320 E. Foothill Blvd. in August, were diagnosed in recent weeks with that disease, according to a press release from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
The business remains open after the department's environmental health staff inspected it and found no source of potential infection for hepatitis. The restaurant's management is working with the county to find the source of the problem, according to the release.
The county said the incubation period of Hepatitis A is from two to seven weeks. As a result, patrons of the restaurant in August should be on the watch until Oct. 1 for symptoms that include jaundice (yellow eyes or skin), fever and chills accompanied abdominal pain or vomiting, and/or light-color stool or dark urine. The virus is spread close contact or fecal contamination of food or drink. The close contact can be through household or sexual partners. The press release indicated that people who have been vaccinated against hepatitis are not at risk of acquiring it.
Posted on September 21, 2006 by Hepatitis A Lawyer
Sep 18, 2006
(CBS) POMONA, Calif. Three people who ate at a Pomona restaurant last month have been diagnosed with acute hepatitis A, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health announced Monday.
Health officials are working with Senior Baja, located at 320 E. Foothill Blvd., to identify the source of the disease.
The restaurant remains open because a recent inspection by the Department of Public Health did not find an ongoing source of potential infection.
People who ate at Senor Baja in August and develop symptoms of hepatitis A before Oct. 1 -- including jaundice, fever, light colored stools or dark urine -- should contact their doctor.
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Posted on September 18, 2006 by Hepatitis A Attorney
By MARIAN BURROS
September 16, 2006
The outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 linked to prepackaged fresh spinach is the latest in an increasing number of food-borne illnesses from fruits and vegetables.
Dr. David Acheson, chief medical officer for the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition at the Food and Drug Administration, said the evidence so far suggested that those who became ill had eaten the spinach uncooked.
But the agency has issued a blanket warning, recommending that consumers throw out all prepackaged fresh spinach rather than cooking it because of the chance of cross-contamination. Health officials are concerned that, out of the package, the bacteria could contaminate other foods that are eaten raw.
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Posted on September 18, 2006 by Hepatitis A Attorney
September 18, 2006
by Rebecca Prescott
Travelers visiting many tropical, sub-tropical and developing countries run an increased risk of suffering a gastrointestinal illness. These are usually caused by bacteria, parasites and viruses. The microscopic bugs at the top of these rather gut wrenching (for all the wrong reasons...) charts are E Coli, the staphylococci, shigella and salmonella species, campylobacter jejuni, cryptosporidiosis, and hepatitis A.
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Posted on September 15, 2006 by Hepatitis A Lawyer
September 15, 2006
SAMS GAP, NC — A farmer's contaminated spring is the suspected cause of a hepatitis A outbreak, in which four cases have been confirmed and 10 are under investigation, according to a September 15 story in the Citizen Times.
The farmer's crops that were watered with the spring water were burned and the owner will drill a new well, according to the story.
The farmer did not sell his produce and the cases have been limited to his friends and family, the story said.
Acting Health Director Jan Lounsbury said that area residents should not be worried about their groundwater, because this appears to be an isolated case, according to the article.
Posted on September 15, 2006 by Hepatitis A Lawyer
12.sep.06
Journal of Food Protection (Volume 69, Number 9)
pp. 2217-2223(7)
Hewitt, Joanne1; Greening, Gail E.1
Abstract:
Quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) and cell culture (50% tissue culture infectious dose [TCID50]) were used to determine the effect of heat treatments on norovirus and hepatitis A virus (HAV) in the New Zealand Greenshell mussel (Perna canaliculus). Since it is common practice to cook mussels until the shells open, internal temperatures and opening times of mussels on boiling and steaming were determined at regular time intervals. Fifty mussels in batches of six were exposed to boiling and steaming. A mean internal temperature of 90°C (recommended for virus inactivation when maintained for 90 s) was reached after boiling for 170 s, with all 50 mussels open at 210 s. For steaming, the mean internal temperature achieved was only 83°C after 300 s, and all 50 mussels were open. When mussels were steamed for 180 s (mean internal temperature of 63°C), a significant 1.5-log decrease in the HAV titer (log TCID50) was observed. Following the immersion of mussels in boiling water for 180 s (mean internal temperature of 92°C), no viable HAV was detected.
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Posted on September 15, 2006 by Hepatitis A Lawyer
by By Jordan Schrader, JSCHRADE@CITIZEN-TIMES.COM
September 15, 2006
SAMS GAP- The one-story house at the center of a hepatitis A investigation spanning six states sits on U.S. 23 North, just before North Carolina gives way to Tennessee at Sams Gap.
Statement from a Madison County property owner. At least four cases of hepatitis A were found among guests who visited the property this summer. (26 KB)
A greenhouse, no taller and only slightly longer than the motor home parked nearby, indicates a modest garden rather than a farm.
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Posted on September 14, 2006 by Hepatitis A Lawyer
by Jordan Schrader, STAFF WRITER
September 14, 2006
MARSHALL – Officials have destroyed the crops grown at a Madison County farm where contaminated water led to hepatitis A cases throughout the country.
Public health officials have refused to identify the farm in northeastern Madison County. But they issued a statement from its owner late Wednesday apologizing to any county farmers who might lose customers afraid of eating their produce.
The farm grows vegetables only for its residents’ consumption, the unidentified man said in his handwritten note. None of this year’s crop was sold publicly.
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Posted on September 14, 2006 by Hepatitis A Lawyer
There’s too much bacteria – experts
By Sven Herselman
East London, South Africa
CONCENTRATIONS of hepatitis A-causing bacteria and faecal matter in the Buffalo River are at an unacceptable and dangerous level. This is according to the head of the Border Occupational Health and Environmental Services, Di Nicolay.
She warns that with the start of summer, and in particular the school rowing season, residents must be sure that they are inoculated against the diseases caused by such bacteria.
Nicolay was speaking after viewing a report compiled by a private company on the status of the Buffalo River. She said she was not authorised to reveal the company’s name, but urged people to be aware of the situation.
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Posted on September 14, 2006 by Hepatitis A Attorney
10 more suspected; health officials refuse to identify property in investigation
by Dale Neal, DNEAL@CITIZEN-TIMES.COM
September 14, 2006
MARSHALL — Health officials suspect contaminated drinking water might have caused 14 cases of hepatitis A among guests visiting a Madison County property this summer.
Four Madison County residents were confirmed to have the liver disease, while 10 more cases are under investigation in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, New Jersey, Washington and Oregon.
People who work on the property or were guests there are suspected to have contracted hepatitis from contaminated drinking water, the Madison County Health Department said Wednesday.
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Posted on September 14, 2006 by Hepatitis A Attorney
10 more suspected; health officials refuse to identify property in investigation
by Dale Neal, DNEAL@CITIZEN-TIMES.COM
September 14, 2006
MARSHALL — Health officials suspect contaminated drinking water might have caused 14 cases of hepatitis A among guests visiting a Madison County property this summer.
Four Madison County residents were confirmed to have the liver disease, while 10 more cases are under investigation in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, New Jersey, Washington and Oregon.
People who work on the property or were guests there are suspected to have contracted hepatitis from contaminated drinking water, the Madison County Health Department said Wednesday.
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Posted on September 13, 2006 by Hepatitis A Lawyer
by STAFF REPORTS
September 13, 2006
The Madison County Health Department has reported that four confirmed cases of hepatitis A have broken out in Madison County, with 10 more cases under investigation.
The 14 cases, possibly linked, are believed to have originated from a private farm in the county that sells and shares produce to the public, said Jan Lounsburry, Acting Director of the Madison County Health Department.
“I cannot give specifics about which farm, or where it is located until further into the investigation,” she said. “We don’t want people to panic… just be aware of the signs and symptoms and report them to their local health department or health care provider.”
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Posted on September 13, 2006 by Hepatitis A Lawyer
September 13, 2006
Citizen Times
MARSHALL (NC) – Health officials have linked cases of hepatitis A around the country to a Madison County farm.
Fourteen people who work on the farm or were guests there are suspected to have contracted the disease, the Madison County Health Department announced at a news conference today.
Officials would not identify the farm.
Hepatitis A has been confirmed in four Madison County residents, while 10 more cases are under investigation in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, New Jersey, Washington and Oregon.
Continue Reading...
Posted on September 12, 2006 by Hepatitis A Lawyer
From www.about-hepatitis.com
Hepatitis A is one of five human hepatitis viruses that primarily infect the human liver and cause human illness. (There are many other viruses that can inflame the liver which infect us more generally.) The other known human hepatitis viruses are hepatitis B, C, D, and E. Hepatitis A is relatively unusual in nations with developed sanitation systems such as the United States. Nevertheless, it continues to occur here.
Each year, an estimated 100 persons die as a result of acute liver failure in the United States due to Hepatitis A. Approximately 30 - 50,000 cases occur yearly in the United States and the direct and indirect costs of these cases exceed $300 million. The unfortunate aspect of these statistics is that with 21st century medicine, Hepatitis A is totally preventable, and isolated cases, and especially outbreaks relegated to food consumption, need not occur.
Viral Hepatitis is a major public health concern in the United States, and a source of si1gnificant morbidity and mortality. The Hepatitis A virus or “HAV” is heat stable and will survive for up to a month at ambient temperatures in the environment.

Posted on September 11, 2006 by Hepatitis A Attorney
Bulgarian Parents Seek to Ban Hepatitis-Struck Kids from School
11 September 2006, Monday.
Parents from Bulgaria's second city of Plovdiv have turned to school headmasters asking them to close the school doors for kids from the city's Stolipinovo District, where hepatitis has been raging throughout the summer.
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Posted on September 10, 2006 by Hepatitis A Lawyer
Marler Clark began hepatitis A litigation against Quizno's by filing a Class Action lawsuit on behalf of all individuals who required inoculation against hepatitis A to following exposure to the virus at a Boston Quizno's on July 9, 2004.
Posted on September 10, 2006 by Hepatitis A Lawyer
10 September 2006 | 08:40 | FOCUS News Agency
Sofia. There are 914 people infected with hepatitis “A” in Plovdiv region, the National Medical Coordination Center (NMCC) announced for FOCUS Agency. There are 663 people affected in the city of Plovdiv only and 479 of them live in Stolipinovo quarter and 68 in Sheker Mahala. The NMCC announced that the Regional Inspection on Prevention and Control of Public Health hasn’t announced for new cases in Svoge Municipality since 4th September.
Posted on September 9, 2006 by Hepatitis A Attorney
| SIGNS & SYMPTOMS |
Adults will have signs and symptoms more often than children. |
- jaundice
- fatigue
- abdominal pain
- loss of appetite
|
|
| CAUSE |
|
| LONG-TERM EFFECTS |
- There is no chronic (long-term) infection.
- Once you have had hepatitis A you cannot get it again.
- About 15% of people infected with HAV will have prolonged or relapsing symptoms over a 6-9 month period.
|
| TRANSMISSION |
- HAV is found in the stool (feces) of persons with hepatitis A.
- HAV is usually spread from person to person by putting something in the mouth (even though it may look clean) that has been contaminated with the stool of a person with hepatitis A.
|
| PERSONS AT RISK OF INFECTION |
- Household contacts of infected persons
- Sex contacts of infected persons
- Persons, especially children, living in areas with increased rates of hepatitis A during the baseline period from 1987-1997.
- Persons traveling to countries where hepatitis A is common
- Men who have sex with men
- Injecting and non-injecting drug users
|
| PREVENTION |
- Hepatitis A vaccine is the best protection.
- Short-term protection against hepatitis A is available from immune globulin. It can be given before and within 2 weeks after coming in contact with HAV.
- Always wash your hands with soap and water after using the bathroom, changing a diaper, and before preparing and eating food.
|
| VACCINE RECOMMENDATIONS |
Vaccine is recommended for the following persons from 12 months of age and older:
- Travelers to areas with increased rates of hepatitis A
- Men who have sex with men
- Injecting and non-injecting drug users
- Persons with clotting-factor disorders (e.g. hemophilia)
- Persons with chronic liver disease
- Children living in areas with increased rates of hepatitis A during the baseline period from 1987-1997.
|
| TRENDS & STATISTICS
|
- Occurs in epidemics both nationwide and in communities
- During epidemic years, the number of reported cases reached 35,000.
- In the late 1990s, hepatitis A vaccine was more widely used and the number of cases reached historic lows.
- One-third of Americans have evidence of past infection (immunity).
|
Posted on September 8, 2006 by Hepatitis A Lawyer
07.sep.06
Reuters
MILAN - The European Union's food safety agency EFSA was cited as saying on Wednesday it had found no "convincing evidence" of a link between an exotic juice and four reported cases of hepatitis in Austria and Germany.
Noni juice, made from the fruit of the Morinda Citrifolia plant, sometimes known as the Indian Mulberry, hit shelves across Europe after it was authorised by the European Commission in 2003 for the market.
Sold as a novel health drink, it had been promoted as a helping boost for the immune system.
In documents published on its Web site (www.efsa.europa.eu), EFSA said the European Commission had asked it for its opinion after Austria's health and food safety body sounded a warning in 2005 after three acute hepatitis cases were reported.
EFSA said its expert panel on dietetic products, nutrition and allergies examined the Austrian and Germany cases in which the people who consumed the juice later came down with hepatitis.
"The NDA Panel came to the conclusion that there is no convincing evidence for a causal relationship between the acute hepatitis observed in the case reports and the consumption of noni juice," EFSA said in a statement.
Posted on September 8, 2006 by Hepatitis A Lawyer
Public health officials have identified three new cases of hepatitis A in the past week.
The cases are all in one family and connected to an earlier case, bringing to 15 the total number of infections in an outbreak in the Lower Sackville area. The first case was identified in early June.
Five of the initial 12 cases were students from Hillside Park Elementary School. None of the new cases are associated with the school, said Geoff Wilson, spokesman for the Capital district health authority.
Public health staff are following up with the contacts of the new cases. That may include vaccination against the virus when appropriate, he said.
Continue Reading...
Posted on September 6, 2006 by Hepatitis A Lawyer
By Bill Collins
09/05/06
Staff Writer
Mid-August's hepatitis A scare in Fort Wayne has prompted local health concerns about the virus.
Several cases of the disease that were reported were apparently contracted from a Fort Wayne Pizza Hut employee. The employee was working between August 3 and 19, but has not been employed there since that time.
Hepatitis A can be transferred simply from an infected person not observing proper hygiene procedures, said Dr. Sarah Sayger of the Purdue University Student Health Center.
Sayger said people sometimes try to cut time and do not do a thorough job washing their hands and following proper health procedures in restaurants.
Although not washing thoroughly every time may have little consequences for most people, proper hygiene in this area is vitally important for those handling food. The signs in restaurant bathrooms stating that employees must wash hands before returning to work are meant to prevent this kind of outbreak.
Continue Reading...
Posted on September 6, 2006 by Hepatitis A Lawyer
No other cases reported, but officials wary
By Michael Schroeder
The Journal Gazette
Since a server at the Coventry Pizza Hut was diagnosed with hepatitis A nearly two weeks ago, no related cases have been reported.
But health officials – fully aware of the virus’ average monthlong incubation period during which infected persons exhibit no outward symptoms – are keeping close watch.
In all, 3,858 people received shots at eight immunization clinics set up in the wake of the hepatitis A diagnosis Aug. 24, Dr. Deborah McMahan, Allen County health commissioner, said Tuesday.
A total of 219 doses were sent out of the area (though not all were used) to Purdue University, Indiana University, Notre Dame and even Canada, among other locations. The shots are intended mostly for students and some others who ate food from the Coventry Pizza Hut.
Working with the restaurant, the health department estimated that 5,000 to 10,000 people may have been exposed to hepatitis A between Aug. 3 and Aug. 19, when the infected server was working and contagious. A total of 5,100 meals were served during that time.
So health officials are reminding all those who dined in, carried out or ordered from Coventry Pizza Hut between Aug. 3 and Aug. 19 not to become complacent.
Continue Reading...
Posted on September 6, 2006 by Hepatitis A Lawyer
David O'Brien
Record-Courier staff writer
9/6/2006
Three days after announcing a male student had contracted Hepatitis A and could potentially have passed the virus to others through his job preparing catered meals, Kent State Universitys chief physician said no further cases of the liver disease have been identified.
Dr. Ray Leone said University Health Services had immunized approximately 394 people out of the almost 500 thought to be most at risk for contracting the disease as of noon Tuesday. Between 40 and 50 doses of immune globulin were distributed Friday, more than 200 before 1 p.m. Saturday, and slightly more than 100 during Sunday and Monday.
A total of 380 people were immunized against the non-life-threatening disease by Monday evening. All those potentially affected have since been notified and most of those immunized.
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Posted on September 5, 2006 by Hepatitis A Lawyer
September 3, 2006
Akron Beacon Journal (OH)
Lisa A. Abraham
http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/nation/15431779.htm?source=syn
KENT - Kent State University officials are dealing with one confirmed and one suspected case of hepatitis A in students, and are working with public health officials to administer hundreds of immunizations to keep the virus from spreading.
The confirmed case is a male student who works for a branch of the school's food service that provides catering for university functions.
Officials at a news conference Saturday said they have begun tracking down about 500 people who may have come in contact with food the student helped to prepare, as well as his co-workers and roommates.
By Saturday afternoon, Kent's University Health Services had administered 270 shots of immune globulin -- hepatitis A antibodies, which can help to prevent the virus in people who have already been exposed.
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by a virus and occurs in several forms. Hepatitis A is usually not life-threatening and has an incubation period of two to six weeks. Symptoms include fever and nausea.
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Posted on September 5, 2006 by Hepatitis A Lawyer
By Jennifer L. Boen jboen@News-sentinel.com
The ripple effects of possible exposure to hepatitis A by up to 10,000 Coventry Pizza Hut diners continue to be felt in the greater Fort Wayne area and beyond.
As the Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health continues immunizing people in mass clinics at Memorial Coliseum this week, anyone who gets the immune globulin, or Ig, shot to ward off the liver disease is now unable to be a blood donor for 12 months after the shot, American Red Cross officials announced Wednesday. In addition, anyone who dined at the restaurant between Aug. 12 and Aug. 19 but opted not to get an Ig shot is ineligible to give blood for four months.
The hepatitis A exposure stems from an employee at Pizza Hut, 5735 Coventry Lane, testing positive for the disease on Aug. 24. The individual served food and drink during that eight-day period, potentially exposing patrons to the virus. Ig must be given within 14 days of infection and does not provide long-term immunity to people who may subsequently be exposed to the hepatitis A virus.
The Pizza Hut employee has not worked at the restaurant since Aug. 19, and no cases of hepatitis A related to this employee have been detected. The health department has fully cleared the restaurant for operation.
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Posted on September 5, 2006 by Hepatitis A Lawyer
David O'Brien
September 3, 2006
Record-Courier staff writer
Kent State University officials and local health departments are taking preventive measures against the potential spread of the Hepatitis A virus after Fridays confirmation that a male student employed with University Dining Services had the virus.
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by a virus. As of 1 p.m. Saturday, approximately 270 preventive immunizations had been performed by University Health Services on the unidentified male students roommates, coworkers and anyone who came into direct contact with him or ate more than two catered meals he may have prepared between Aug. 18 and Aug. 24, according to the university and local health officials.
The male student, who was involved in preparing as many as 500 catered meals in the Kent Student Center prior to being diagnosed, lives in off-campus housing and is now healthy, according to chief university physician Dr. Ray Leone.
Officials said a second possible case is unrelated. In that case, a female KSU student suspected of having Hepatitis A was hospitalized Friday at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna, unable to eat and suffering from dehydration.
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Posted on September 4, 2006 by Hepatitis A Lawyer
September 2, 2006
The Journal Gazette (IN)
Michael Schroeder
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/journalgazette/15423857.htm
Gary Boyer, operations director at Wendy’s in Marion, still hears
comments about hepatitis A.
It’s been more than two years since it was reported that an employee
at the restaurant was diagnosed with the virus. No other workers or
patrons ever contracted the virus, and sales are healthy. But the
impression left by the episode – which prompted nearly 6,000 people to
receive immunization shots – lingers, he said.
So when news broke that a server was diagnosed with hepatitis A at the
Coventry Pizza Hut in Fort Wayne, Boyer’s heart went out to all those
working at the restaurant.
“Through no fault of their own, they are going to take a huge
financial hit,” Boyer said Friday. He was speaking from experience:
The initial effect of the 2004 hepatitis occurrence at his Wendy’s
“was dramatic and substantial,” he said. While Boyer didn’t disclose
specific figures, he said the fast-food restaurant’s sales have
rebounded.
Continue Reading...
Posted on September 4, 2006 by Hepatitis A Lawyer
Hundreds get shots; state declares hep A outbreak
by Angie Newsome, ANEWSOME@CITIZEN-TIMES.COM
August 30, 2006
ASHEVILLE — As 250 restaurant goers lined up Tuesday at the Buncombe County Health Center for free immune globulin shots, state and local health officials investigated a mini outbreak of hepatitis A in Buncombe and Madison counties.
Medical Director Dr. Susan Mims said a total of four hepatitis A cases were confirmed in Buncombe County in August, adding to two others confirmed in April and July. Officials also recently confirmed two cases in Madison County.
On Tuesday, officials offered the first of two shot clinics organized after two cases were confirmed on Monday. Officials estimate that a sick employee exposed just more than 1,300 people who ate at Trevi Restaurant & Gourmet Market between Aug. 17 and Friday. They ask that those who ate there at that time go to the health center for free immune globulin shots, a serum that can prevent or help reduce symptoms of the illness if it is administered within two weeks of exposure. The second clinic was scheduled for today.
Symptoms include fever, chills, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, yellowing of the eyes and skin and dark urine. They appear about 30 days after exposure but can occur up to 50 days later.
“The state is calling this a small outbreak in a regional sense and trying to link this to other cases across the country,” Mims said.
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Posted on September 1, 2006 by Hepatitis A Lawyer
Each family needs to prepare now to have food, other essentials on hand.
By Jennifer L. Boen jboen@news-sentinel.com
What would you need to survive in your home for a week, maybe two or even a month? Allen County residents are encouraged to think on that and begin gearing up for a potential pandemic flu. Starting today, free pandemic flu preparedness guides are available at area grocery stores and pharmacies.
Committees organized by the Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health have been meeting for months to develop the guides, which include extensive checklists of recommended nonperishable grocery items, medical supplies and emergency equipment that individuals and families should have on hand.
States and counties have been mandated by federal health officials to prepare for a pandemic disease. The one most feared is the H5N1 avian flu virus, which has infected 241 people in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Eastern Europe; 141 of those individuals died. No bird or human cases have been found in the United States to date.
Although so far this year only nine new human cases have been reported, the World Health Organization warns slight mutations in H5N1 could allow rapid human-to-human transmission, which has not yet occurred. The H5N1 avian flu strain abroad is similar to the one that caused the 1918 pandemic flu. Also disconcerting is the fact many of the cases of H5N1 that have occurred in the past year in China have occurred in areas with no reported outbreaks in poultry. The first cases in Asia occurred in individuals who had direct contact with infected birds.
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