Paula Francis, Anchor
Sep 26, 2005
As many as 1,000 convention-goers may have been exposed to Hepatitis-A two weeks ago. A shot clinic has been set up to help prevent further spread of the virus.
Kathy Haynes recently attended the Global Gaming Expo and had sampled ice cream from a Schwan’s food service booth. The food handler later tested positive for Hepatitis-A.
As a preventative measure, Kathy went to the Clark County Health District for 2 shots that would keep her from getting ill — if she had been exposed. The experience has her wondering if prevention begins with gloved hands. “I think Nevada needs to go ahead and pass a law that anybody passing out any type of food needs to be wearing gloves. Definitely.”

Hepatitis-A is transmitted by means of a fecal-oral contamination. Dr. Lawrence Sands, Director of Community Health Services says that gloves may provide a false sense of security. “It doesn’t make you invulnerable to contamination because if you’re contaminating the gloves, it’s no different if you’re doing it without the gloves.”
Dr. Sands stresses that in this case the virus was not spread by the food product itself, but rather the food handler.
Infectious disease specialist Eugene Speck says the symptoms of Hepatitis-A — if they occur — include jaundice, extreme fatigue, nausea and fever. But symptoms may not occur soon enough to prevent the further spread of the disease.
Eugene Speck said, “Prior to people becoming ill, if they’re going to become ill with Hepatitis-A, before that they can spread the virus by 14 to 21 days and yet they’re feeling well at the time.”
At this point, 250 people have gotten the shots offered by the health district. The clinic will be in operation through Wednesday, Sept. 28.
The number to call for more information line is 759-1300.