Protecting families from contaminated food and water
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Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in Hep A,Hepatitis A,Our Blog,Outbreaks & Recalls on October 3, 2023
The Monmouth County Health Department is currently investigating a foodborne Hepatitis A exposure event at the Asbury Park restaurant, Cardinal Provisions. This brunch restaurant, located at 513 Bangs Avenue, voluntarily closed its operation after a healthcare provider notified the Monmouth County Health Department that a staff member working at the restaurant tested positive for Hepatitis A.
The restaurant was notified and responded that they would voluntarily close and reopen once all exposed employees are vaccinated.
On September 27, 2023, the Monmouth County Health Department in the state of New Jersey issued a press release indicating that an employee of an Asbury Park restaurant tested positive for the Hepatitis A virus and asked anyone who dined there to be cautious.
The Department was notified by a healthcare provider that a staff member at the Asbury Park Cardinal Provisions restaurant tested positive for the virus. This virus can be transmitted through contaminated food, and as such is a reportable illness for food handlers. This prompted an immediate investigation.
Following this notification, the Monmouth County Health Department visited the establishment, notifying them of the report, and conducted an investigation. The Department did not observe any evidence of food safety violations.
The investigation revealed that the employee worked while infectious for about 2 weeks.
The employee worked the following dates:
While it is “uncommon” for food handlers to transmit Hepatitis A virus to patrons, it is still a possible exposure to this potentially foodborne pathogen. The Monmouth County Health Department recommends that “anyone who consumed food or drinks at Cardinal Provisions during the aforementioned period should consider receiving a vaccination within two weeks from the last date of exposure, monitor their health for symptoms of Hepatitis A infection up to 50 days after exposure.” Additionally, attention to hand hygiene is suggested. Frequent and thorough hand washing with soap and warm water, particularly after using the bathroom and before preparing food to avoid spreading the virus in case you are potentially infected.
The Department also indicates that you should “stay at home and contact [your] healthcare provider immediately if symptoms of Hepatitis A infection develop.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), not everyone who has hepatitis A is symptomatic. Children are more likely than adults to by asymptomatic.
If symptoms do develop, they often begin to appear around 2 to 7 weeks after infection and last less than 2 months. In some cases, people may be ill for as long as 6 months.
A variety of symptoms may accompany hepatitis A infection. These include:
Hepatitis A is diagnosed by testing a blood sample for the presence of the virus. This can be conducted by routine screening for people who have higher exposure risks or if requested by your healthcare provider in response to symptoms consistent with hepatitis A infection.
As hepatitis A is a virus, little can be done to treat the infection. Doctors usually recommend rest, adequate nutrition, and staying hydrated. If symptoms are severe, hospitalization may be required to monitor liver function and ease symptoms.
Hepatitis is a type of liver inflammation. Hepatitis A, in particular, is caused by a virus.
Since the inception of hepatitis A vaccine recommendations in 1996, cases of this virus had declined dramatically in the United States. Unfortunately, recent years have shown a rise in the number of cases as a result of multiple outbreaks.
Not all of these outbreaks are related to food exposure. Most of these outbreaks have been primarily spread through person-to-person contact, notably among those who use drugs, the homeless population, and men who have sex with men.
Once infected, a person can spread the infection to others. The virus is found in the stool and blood of those infected. It is present in the body and can be spread even before the infected person begins to feel sick.
The primary method of transmission is through person-to-person contact. Close, personal contact with an infected person is the most likely source. Caring for someone who is ill, shared drug use, and sexual contact are common ways of spreading the virus.
Eating contaminated food or drink is another way of becoming infected. Contamination of food can occur at any point in the food supply chain. This includes:
This food contamination as a source of transmission is more common in countries where hepatitis A is more common. In some cases, foodborne outbreaks have occurred in the United States from people eating contaminated fresh and frozen imported food products.
In fact, certain countries are barred from importing certain foods due to increased risk of contamination.
Prophylactic vaccination is an option to reduce risk of infection after exposure to hepatitis A. This vaccine is most effective if administered within 2 weeks of exposure. Depending on your age and health, a healthcare provider may also recommend administering immune globulin (IG) in addition to the vaccine to increase its effectiveness. IG is made from blood and contains antibodies that can help your body fight a potential infection.
Did you contract Hepatitis A after eating at Cardinal Provisions? A Hepatitis A lawyer can help answer the questions you might have. The Hepatitis A Lawyers at The Lange Law Firm are experienced at helping people through situations just like this.
The Lange law Firm offers free consultations and can help you explore your legal rights. Reach out for your free consultation by phone at (833) 330-3663 or click here to email.
Don’t wait! Call today to get the justice you deserve!
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)