April 18, 2005
By CATHARYN CAMPBELL
6 News Reporter
CAMPBELL COUNTY (WATE) — Health officials say Monday there are no new confirmed cases of hepatitis A in East Tennessee. However, investigators are still working to isolate the source of the outbreak that began in Campbell County last week.
There are 15 cases confirmed, spread between three counties: 13 in Campbell, one in Anderson and one in Scott.
The director of the Regional Health Department, Dr. Paul Erwin, says he believes an infected restaurant worker is the likely source. But the employee hasn’t been identified and the health department won’t say which restaurant it believes originated the outbreak.
Investigators say they don’t believe there’s an ongoing threat in any Campbell County restaurants.

Charley’s Pizza Parlor remains a popular place to catch a bite. “It’s not really slowed us that much,” says co-owner Jerry Partin. “I can tell a little bit of difference. People come in and they say they’re kind of concerned about places, you know.”
Partin says he knows the Regional Health Department is investigating two restaurants in Campbell County and testing some employees for the virus.
He says his restaurant isn’t on that list and he wants customers to know he runs a clean shop. “I like to wash my hands after I handle money and stuff up front because you don’t know where the money has been.”
Carrie Orick says she takes her family to places she knows. “Where they make the food behind the counter and you can’t see what they’re doing the cleanness and stuff. Some places are nasty. We just don’t like our kids there.”
Orick says she prefers buffets where she can keep closer eye on the food her niece puts into her mouth. “The people look clean. The buffet looks clean. The area looks clean. People wash their hands and they stay clean when they serve. Their hair is pulled back.”
On the other hand, some people, like Kenneth Allen, haven’t been affected by the news. They believe eating out is a risk you take. “I mean, you might eat something and get it but it’s very rare to me. I mean, it don’t bother me as bad as it does other people.”
There’s a shot available that provides immediate protection from the virus. However, health experts say they aren’t recommending people who ate at the two restaurants under investigation need shots. They say most people were infected around mid-March.
Employees who are being tested for the virus can’t return to work until they’re deemed healthy. Those results are expected with in the next couple of days.