FROM STAFF REPORTS
Jun 9, 2005
Hepatitis A is transmitted when someone puts food or something else in the mouth that has been contaminated with the stool of another person who has hepatitis A, says Yuma County’s acting public health services director.
For example, it can be spread when food is handled by someone who has not washed his or her hands or not washed them thoroughly after having used the bathroom, Becky Brooks said.Continue Reading Hepatitis A spread only by food contaminated with stool

BY JEFFREY GAUTREAUX, STAFF WRITER
Jun 8, 2005
Many Yumans are facing the prospect of receiving a Hepatitis A shot after possibly being exposed to the infection while eating at the Chile Pepper restaurant, 1030 W. 24th St., between May 25 and June 2. Some said they were more fearful of eating out while others said they would continue to go to the restaurant.
Four employees of Rural/Metro Fire Department will be getting the shots after they had burritos from Chile Pepper recently. Rural/Metro spokeswoman Adele Wilke said she is afraid of needles and often faints when getting a shot. She was especially nervous about the Hepatitis A shot.Continue Reading Some Chile Pepper customers worried, others unconcerned but most plan to receive shots to protect against Hepatitis A

BY JONATHAN ATHENS
Jun 9, 2005
People stand in line to receive free immune globulin shots from the Yuma County Health Department at the Yuma Civic and Convention Center early Wednesday afternoon. Photo by Jacob Lopez.
Facing an onslaught of people concerned they may have been exposed to the hepatitis A infection, Yuma County officials on Wednesday night said they are close to running out of preventative treatment shots but said they are ordering thousands more.Continue Reading Hepatitis A fear overwhelming; More than 2,000 Yumans afraid of possible exposure to virus turn out for free shots

YUMA, Ariz. (AP) — Yuma health workers are administering booster shots, hoping to prevent an outbreak of hepatitis A after an employee at a popular local restaurant was diagnosed with the disease.
Clinics were scheduled this week and next week to administer shots to the estimated 6,000 to 8,000 people who might have been exposed at the Chile Pepper restaurant between May 25 and June 2. The gamma globulin shots boost the body’s immune system.Continue Reading Yuma Health Officials work to stop Hepatitis A

SEATTLE (June 8, 2005) — The Yuma County Health Department warned Tuesday that a food worker at the Chile Pepper restaurant, located at 1030 W. 24th St. in Yuma, tested positive for hepatitis A. Diners who ate at Chile Pepper between May 25 and June 2 may have been exposed to the virus, and are urged to receive Gamma Globulin shots to protect against infection.
“When a person has been exposed to hepatitis A, they want to know all they can about the symptoms of infection, so if they experience symptoms of hepatitis A, they can be educated about the disease when they contact a health care professional. Our site about Hepatitis A provides some of the most comprehensive information on the Web about this serious liver infection,” said William Marler, a Seattle attorney who has dedicated his practice to representing victims of foodborne illness outbreaks. (See http://www.about-hepatitis.com)Continue Reading Hepatitis A Web site is resource for people looking for additional information

Local News
BY JONATHAN ATHENS, STAFF WRITER
Jun 8, 2005
County health officials on Tuesday said they are mobilizing to halt a possible outbreak of hepatitis A as a result of a food handler at a popular Yuma restaurant recently being diagnosed with the illness.
Officials said they will hold clinics the remainder of this week and throughout next week to administer immunity booster shots to those who may have been exposed to the infection — an estimated 6,000 to 8,000 people.
Health department officials said anyone who ate or drank at Chile Pepper, 1030 W. 24th St., between May 25 and June 2 may have been exposed.Continue Reading Hepatitis A case confirmed; county goes on full alert