Health Department Says Restaurant Patrons Not At Risk
May 11, 2005
SALEM, N.H. — State public health officials said Wednesday that a food service worker in Salem was diagnosed with hepatitis A, but they said there is no concern that customers have been infected.
Public Health Director MaryAnn Cooney said the department’s investigation shows no substantial risk to customers because of the timing of the worker’s illness and precautions he took while preparing or handling food. The state is not releasing the name of the business.
The person is in the hospital and doing well. His family members and others close to him are being treated.

Cooney and acting state epidemiologist Jose Montero stressed that this is not another case like the Taco Bell hepatitis scare last year, in which the state ran clinics to vaccinate about 2,500 people.
Hepatitis A is a liver disease transmitted when someone eats food contaminated with fecal matter. Poor hand-washing is often to blame.
The health officials said the latest case should be another reminder for everyone, especially food service workers, to wash their hands frequently.