By Jill Casey
Monday, September 20, 2004
SWAMPCOTT — Local health officials announced on Sunday that a waitress at Bertucci’s restaurant in Vinnin Square has tested positive for hepatitis A.
Despite the diagnosis, officials determined that it was not necessary to administer a public immunization for anyone who dined at Bertucci’s between Aug. 28 and Sept. 7 or to close the restaurant.
As a precautionary measure, the restaurant’s workforce was administered Immune Globulin (IG) on Saturday, according to a release from the Swampscott Board of Health. The IG issued to the workforce provided an immediate protection against the disease, and the immunization lasts 3-5 months when given within two weeks after exposure to hepatitis A.
Health officials said an inspection of the restaurant was undertaken over the weekend and it was determined that it would not be necessary to close the restaurant.
Officials said the disease is spread through close contact or through food handling, and that it can be spread by contaminated food or beverages. Even mild cases, they said, can be highly contagious.

Board of Health member Dr. Lawrence Block downplayed the case in an interview with WBZ radio on Sunday. “There was nothing that led the state to recommend we close the restaurant or hold a clinic,” Block said.
Even with local television news crew outside the restaurant Sunday, business went on as usual and the dining room was nearing capacity when the dinner hour rolled around.
Management at the restaurant did not want to comment about the infected worker on Sunday.
Symptoms of hepatitis A are fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dark urine and jaundice. Even if symptoms are mild, officials suggest that anyone with symptoms should contact their physician.