Category Archives: Hepatitis A

USA – Hepatitis A in Food Worker at Papa John’s Pizza in Horn Lake, MS

Posted on February 20, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Bulletin

A food worker at Papa John’s Pizza at 906 Goodman Road in Horn Lake, Mississippi has been diagnosed with hepatitis A. according to a news release by the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDA). That person worked at the restaurant while infectious from January 28, 2020 to February 11, 2020.

That means that anyone who ate or drank at that restaurant or who received a pizza delivery during that time frame may have been exposed to the virus. Unfortunately, it’s too late for a vaccine for anyone who was there before February 5, 2020, because the vaccine is only effective if given within 14 days of exposure.

Those people should monitor their health for the symptoms of hepatitis A and see a doctor if the symptoms appear. Symptoms of hepatitis A include fever, jaundice yellowing of the skin and eyes), abdominal pain, dark urine, clay colored stools, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.

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USA – Hepatitis A confirmed in food service employee who worked at a Boise Black Bear Diner

Posted on February 20, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

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Image CDC

Central District Health offering free vaccine to impacted patrons and employees

A case of hepatitis A has been confirmed in a food service employee who worked while contagious at the Black Bear Diner, located at 7530 State Street in Boise. The employee worked only at the northwest Boise location, which is under separate ownership from the south Boise location, which shares the same name.

Hepatitis A is a virus that affects the liver and can make people sick for a number of weeks. To-date, the food service worker is the only hepatitis A case in Idaho associated with this restaurant.

The risk of becoming infected with hepatitis A through an infected food service worker is low. However, CDH encourages anyone with incomplete or unknown hepatitis A vaccine status who ate at the Black Bear Diner located off of State Street on a date listed below to consider getting vaccinated.

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Posted in food contamination, food handler, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Virus, Hepatitis A, Uncategorized, Virus

USA -Hepatitis A Exposure at Old Mill Tavern in Homosassa, FL

Posted on February 11, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Bulletin

A food service worker at Old Mill Tavern in Homosassa, Florida has been diagnosed with hepatitis A, according to the Florida Department of Health in Citrus County (DOH-Citrus). That person worked at that restaurant, located at 10465 West Yulee Drive in Homosassa, from January 19 through February 3, 2020.

It’s too late for anyone who ate at the Old Mill Tavern before January 27, 2020 to get vaccinated against the virus, since the vaccines are effective if given within two weeks of exposure. Those people should contact their doctors, and watch for the symptoms of hepatitis A.

A hepatitis A or immune globulin vaccination is recommended for anyone who ate or drank at this restaurant between January 28 through February 3, 2020. If you have had the vaccine or have had a hepatitis A infection in the past your are considered immune and do not have to take action.

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Posted in food contamination, food handler, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Virus, Hepatitis A, Uncategorized, Virus, Virus Vaccination

USA – Hepatitis A Outbreak tied to Long Beach 555 East American Steakhouse

Posted on February 10, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) is investigating an outbreak of hepatitis A associated with 555 East American Steakhouse in downtown Long Beach. Several cases of hepatitis A have been confirmed in individuals who ate at the restaurant on or around December 24, 2019. Those who ate there during that time may have been exposed. The source of the illness is still under investigation, and the restaurant’s management and staff are fully cooperating with Health Department officials to prevent further illness. The restaurant does not pose an ongoing risk to the public at this time.

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Posted in food contamination, food handler, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Virus, Hepatitis A, Uncategorized, Virus

Research -How Do You Know If You Have a Hepatitis A Infection?

Posted on February 10, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Bulletin

Hepatitis A is a very contagious virus that can cause serious illness and death. In recent years, a huge hepatitis A outbreak in the United States has been ongoing since 2016. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 30,000 people have. even sickened, almost 19,000 patients have been hospitalized, and more than 300 people have died. How do you know if you have a hepatitis A infection?

Hepatitis A can spread in food establishments through infected food handlers.

Click to access ABCTable.pdf

Link to CDC Information

Click to access ABCTable.pdf

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Posted in food contamination, food handler, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Safety, Food Testing, Food Virus, Hepatitis A, Uncategorized, Virus, Virus Vaccination

USA – Vicksburg restaurant worker exposes customers to Hepatitis A

Posted on February 3, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) is investigating a case of hepatitis A in a Warren County restaurant employee that may have led to exposure for customers.  MSDH has set up free hepatitis A vaccinations today and tomorrow  for those who might have been exposed to the virus

An employee of the Gumbo Pot, 3401 Halls Ferry Road #5 in Vicksburg, has been diagnosed with a hepatitis A infection. While infectious, the employee worked at the restaurant on Jan. 17, 18 and 22. Customers who ate at the restaurant on those days may have been exposed to hepatitis A.

Vaccination can prevent hepatitis A only if given within 14 days of exposure. Because those who ate at the restaurant on Jan. 17 and 18 would have been exposed more than 14 days ago, they should watch for any possible symptoms of hepatitis A and see their doctor if they become ill. Those who ate at the restaurant on January 22 should get the hepatitis A vaccination if they have not been previously vaccinated.

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Posted in food contamination, food handler, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Virus, Hepatitis A, Uncategorized, Virus, Virus Vaccination

Research – Preventative care: Increasing Hepatitis A vaccinations among food service workers

Posted on December 12, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News 

Thesis: Over the past three years, there has been an ongoing outbreak of Hepatitis A in the United States although it is the only foodborne disease that has a vaccination. Mandating vaccinations to food service workers is essential to reduce the spread of Hepatitis A, especially since outbreaks involving food handlers are in the public eye. 

Background & Analysis: It is estimated that in the United States alone there are 48 million cases of foodborne illness annually. Out of these 48 million, 128,000 are hospitalized and 3,000 people die. The CDC recommends to the general public that the best way to prevent Hepatitis A is through vaccination, but not have explicitly stated that food service workers should be administered the vaccination. While food service workers are not traditionally designated as having an increased risk of Hepatitis A transmission, they are not free from risk. Additionally, 24% of Hepatitis A cases are asymptomatic which means a food-handler carrying the virus can unknowingly transmit the disease to a consumer. Historically, when an outbreak occurs local health departments start administering the vaccine for free or at a reduced cost. The funding from these vaccinations is through taxpayer dollars. 

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Posted in food handler, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Virus, Hand Washing, Hepatitis A, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Uncategorized, Virus

USA -Outbreak Investigation of Hepatitis A Potentially Linked to Fresh Conventional Blackberries from Fresh Thyme Farmers Market and Woodman’s Market, Fall 2019

Posted on December 12, 2019 by | Leave a comment

FDA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local partners, are investigating a multistate outbreak of hepatitis A illnesses in Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, and Wisconsin potentially linked to fresh, conventional (non-organic) blackberries from the grocery stores Fresh Thyme Farmers Market and Woodman’s Market.

On December 10, 2019, CDC updated their case counts to 18 illnesses, with the most recent illness onset date on November 15, 2019.

Based on the epidemiological information collected in the investigation thus far, ill patients reported consuming fresh, conventional blackberries bought in six states including Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. Case patients reported buying them from either Fresh Thyme Farmers Market or Woodman’s Market.

Currently, traceback information shows that the berries from Fresh Thyme Farmers Market came from a distribution center that ships fresh berries to Fresh Thyme Farmers Market stores in 11 states: IA, IL, IN, KY, MI, MO, MN, NE, OH, PA, and WI. As this investigation continues, the FDA will work with our federal and state partners to obtain additional information, including Woodman’s Market, during the traceback investigation and will update this advisory as more information becomes available.

Recommendation

The FDA is urging consumers to not eat any fresh, conventional blackberries if purchased between September 9 and September 30, 2019, from Fresh Thyme Farmers Market stores in the 11 states mentioned above or from Woodman’s Market located in Wisconsin and Illinois. People who purchased the fresh blackberries and then froze those berries for later consumption should not eat these berries. They should be thrown away.

If consumers purchased fresh, conventional blackberries from Fresh Thyme Farmers Market stores in the 11 states listed above or from Woodman’s Market located in Wisconsin and Illinois between September 9-30, ate those berries in the last two weeks, and have not been vaccinated for the hepatitis A virus (HAV), they should consult with their healthcare professional to determine whether post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is indicated. PEP is recommended for unvaccinated people who have been exposed to HAV in the last two weeks. Those with evidence of previous hepatitis A vaccination or previous hepatitis A infection do not require PEP.

Contact your healthcare provider if you think you may have become ill from eating these blackberries, or if you believe that you have eaten these berries in the last two weeks.

Case Counts

Total Illnesses: 18
Hospitalizations: 10
Deaths: 0
Last illness onset: November 15, 2019
States with Cases: IN, MI, MN, MO, NE, WI

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Posted in FDA, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Virus, Hepatitis A, Uncategorized, Virus

USA – Outbreak Investigation of Hepatitis A Potentially Linked to Fresh Conventional Blackberries from Fresh Thyme Farmers Market, Fall 2019

Posted on December 4, 2019 by | Leave a comment

FDA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local partners, are investigating a multistate outbreak of hepatitis A illnesses in Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, and Wisconsin potentially linked to fresh conventional (non-organic) blackberries from the grocery store, Fresh Thyme Farmers Market.

On December 3, 2019, CDC updated their case counts to 16 illnesses, with the most recent illness onset date on November 15, 2019.

Based on the epidemiological information collected in the investigation thus far, ill patients reported consuming fresh conventional blackberries from Fresh Thyme Farmers Market stores in six states: Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, and Wisconsin.

However, traceback information to date shows that these berries came from a distribution center that ships fresh berries to Fresh Thyme Farmers Market stores in 11 states: IA, IL, IN, KY, MI, MO, MN, NE, OH, PA, and WI. As this investigation continues, the FDA will work with our federal and state partners to obtain additional information during the traceback investigation and will update this advisory as more information becomes available.

Recommendation
The FDA is urging consumers to not eat any fresh conventional blackberries if purchased between September 9 and September 30, 2019, from Fresh Thyme Farmers Market stores in the 11 states mentioned above. People who purchased the fresh blackberries and then froze those berries for later consumption should not eat these berries. They should be thrown away.

If consumers purchased fresh conventional blackberries from Fresh Thyme Farmers Market stores in the 11 states listed above between September 9-30, ate those berries in the last two weeks, and have not been vaccinated for the hepatitis A virus (HAV), they should consult with their healthcare professional to determine whether post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is indicated. PEP is recommended for unvaccinated people who have been exposed to HAV in the last two weeks. Those with evidence of previous hepatitis A vaccination or previous hepatitis A infection do not require PEP.

Contact your healthcare provider if you think you may have become ill from eating these blackberries, or if you believe that you have eaten these berries in the last two weeks.

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Posted in FDA, food contamination, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Testing, Food Virus, Hepatitis A, Uncategorized, Virus

USA -Outbreak Investigation of Hepatitis A Potentially Linked to Fresh Conventional Blackberries from Fresh Thyme Farmers Market, Fall 2019

Posted on November 27, 2019 by | Leave a comment

FDA

November 26, 2019

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local partners, are investigating a multistate outbreak of hepatitis A illnesses in Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Wisconsin potentially linked to fresh conventional (non-organic) blackberries from the grocery store, Fresh Thyme Farmers Market.

CDC has updated their case counts to 14 illnesses, with the most recent illness onset date on November 15, 2019.

Based on the epidemiological information collected in the investigation thus far, ill patients reported consuming fresh conventional blackberries from Fresh Thyme Farmers Market stores in five states: Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Wisconsin.

However, traceback information to date shows that these berries came from a distribution center that ships fresh berries to Fresh Thyme Farmers Market stores in 11 states: IA, IL, IN, KY, MI, MO, MN, NE, OH, PA, and WI. As this investigation continues, the FDA will work with our federal and state partners to obtain additional information during the traceback investigation and will update this advisory as more information becomes available.

Recommendation

The FDA is urging consumers to not eat any fresh conventional blackberries if purchased between September 9 and September 30, 2019, from Fresh Thyme Farmers Market stores in the 11 states mentioned above. People who purchased the fresh blackberries and then froze those berries for later consumption should not eat these berries. They should be thrown away.

If consumers purchased fresh conventional blackberries from Fresh Thyme Farmers Market stores in the 11 states listed above between September 9-30, ate those berries in the last two weeks, and have not been vaccinated for the hepatitis A virus (HAV), they should consult with their healthcare professional to determine whether post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is indicated. PEP is recommended for unvaccinated people who have been exposed to HAV in the last two weeks. Those with evidence of previous hepatitis A vaccination or previous hepatitis A infection do not require PEP.

Contact your healthcare provider if you think you may have become ill from eating these blackberries, or if you believe that you have eaten these berries in the last two weeks.

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Case Counts

Total Illnesses: 14
Hospitalizations: 8
Deaths: 0
Last illness onset: November 15, 2019
States with Cases: IN, MI, MN, NE, WI

What is Hepatitis A virus?

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Posted in food contamination, food handler, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Virus, Hepatitis A, Uncategorized, Virus