The VIPP Report: Two more restaurants in Louisville have employees diagnosed with Hepatitis A virus

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Special from Sherlene Shanklin, WHAS11 Television, ABC Louisville

I just received notification that two more restaurants in Louisville have employees diagnosed with the Hepatitis A virus.  Domino’s  and Old Chicago’s Pizza.  Here’s some information from the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness:

An employee of Domino’s Pizza at 10000 Brownsboro Rd. and an employee of Old Chicago Pizza and Tap Room at 9013 Taylorsville Rd. have been diagnosed with acute hepatitis A.

Customers who ate at this Domino’s from April 15, 2018 to April 28, 2018 and customers who ate at this Old Chicago from April 21, 2018 to May 5, 2018 may have been exposed to the hepatitis A virus.  While the risk of contracting hepatitis A from eating at either of these restaurants is low, the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness is issuing this advisory out of an abundance of caution. The hepatitis A outbreak remains centered among the homeless and those who use drugs.

When a food service worker is diagnosed with hepatitis A, he or she is immediately excluded from work and not allowed to return without release from his or her medical provider.  Additionally, all employees at the establishment are vaccinated and disinfection and sanitation practices are followed. Domino’s scored 100 and 98-A on its last two health inspections. Old Chicago scored 96-A and 95-A on its last two health inspections.

Symptoms of hepatitis A are fatigue, decreased appetite, stomach pain, nausea, darkened urine, pale stools and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). People can become ill 15 to 50 days after being exposed to the virus. Anyone experiencing symptoms should seek medical attention.

Hepatitis A is usually transmitted by putting something in your mouth such as an object, food or drink, which has been in contact with the feces of an infected person. In November, the Kentucky Department for Public Health declared a statewide hepatitis A outbreak. Since the outbreak began there have been 327 cases diagnosed in Louisville and nearly 27,000 vaccinated.

To date, some 5,000 local food service employees have been vaccinated against hepatitis A.”

The best ways to prevent hepatitis A infection are to get vaccinated and to practice good handwashing. “Washing your hands thoroughly and often with warm water and soap, especially before preparing meals or eating, after using the bathroom or changing a diaper is a proven way to prevent the spread of diseases,” Dr. Caloia added. “Hand sanitizer is not as effective as hand washing against hepatitis A.”

For more information about hepatitis A visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/health-wellness/hepatitis or call 211. Old Chicago Pizza and Tap Room customers with questions may also call the restaurant’s tollfree hotline at 1-844-944-0444.

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The VIPP Report: Both Indiana and Kentucky announce a case of Hepatitis A

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We just received notification that someone has Hepatitis A virus in the Louisville, KY area.  Here’s the news release detailing the information.

“An employee of Bearno’s Pizza restaurant located at 9222 Westport Rd. has been diagnosed with acute Hepatitis A.  As a result, customers who ate at the restaurant from April 8 to April 22, 2018 may have been exposed to the hepatitis A virus.

Symptoms of hepatitis A are fatigue, decreased appetite, stomach pain, nausea, darkened urine, pale stools and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). People can become ill 15 to 50 days after being exposed to the virus. Anyone experiencing symptoms should seek medical attention.

Hepatitis A is usually transmitted by putting something in your mouth such as an object, food or drink, which has been in contact with the feces of an infected person. In November, the Kentucky Department for Public Health declared a statewide hepatitis A outbreak. Since the outbreak began there have been 294 cases diagnosed in Louisville and more than 16,000 vaccinated.

For more information about hepatitis A visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/health-wellness/hepatitis or call 211.”

The VIPP Report: A White Castle employee in Louisville is diagnosed with Hep A

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The number continues to grow when it comes to Hepatitis A cases in Louisville, Kentucky.  An employee of the White Castle restaurant located at 3701 Seventh St. Rd. in Louisville has been diagnosed with an acute case.  Customers who ate at the restaurant from April 6 to April 20, 2018 may have been exposed to the hepatitis A virus.

Here’s some of the symptoms: fatigue, decreased appetite, stomach pain, nausea, darkened urine, pale stools and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). People can become ill 15 to 50 days after being exposed to the virus. If you are experiencing symptoms you should seek medical attention.

The Kentucky Department for Public Health declared a statewide hepatitis A outbreak.  Since the outbreak began there have been 281 cases diagnosed in Louisville and more than 14,000 vaccinated.

White Castle will provide free hepatitis A vaccinations for their employees in the Louisville Metro area.

The cost of the hepatitis A vaccine has been reduced from $65 to $25.  Businesses with more than 20 employees can have a nurse come to their site to provide the immunizations.  Businesses with fewer than 20 employees may designate vaccine for their employees to be immunized at U of L’s walk-in clinic.

As of April 24th,  more than 50 local food service establishments have chosen to provide their employees the hepatitis A vaccine through this effort.

For more information about hepatitis A visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/health-wellness/hepatitis.

If you have a story idea, send it to thevippreport at vippcommunications dot com.  Follow us on Twitter @Thevippreport @vippcom & on Instagram @vippcommunications.

The VIPP Report: Louisville Health Department announce another Hepatitis A virus case at a local restaurant

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Special Report by Sherlene Shanklin, WHAS11 Television, ABC Louisville

(Louisville, KY)  Tonight, just after 9:00 pm the Louisville Metro Health Department released the following information in regards to a new Hepatitis A virus case.

Here’s what they are releasing:  “An employee at the Applebee’s restaurant located at 4717 Dixie Highway has been diagnosed with acute hepatitis A. As a result, customers who ate at the restaurant from March 23 to April 12, 2018 may have been exposed to the hepatitis A virus.”

It takes about 15 to 50 days after a person is exposed it the virus. People normally has symptoms of fatigue, decreased appetite, stomach pain, nausea, darkened urine, pale stools and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). If you are experiencing any of their symptoms Anyone experiencing symptoms should seek medical attention.

Hepatitis A is usually transmitted by putting something in your mouth such as an object, food or drink, which has been in contact with the feces of an infected person.

The Department of Public Health and Wellness recommends anyone working in the hospitality industry, particularly those who serve or prepare food and beverages, protect themselves and others by getting the hepatitis A vaccine. The independent business owners of the Applebee’s restaurants in the state of Kentucky as well as surrounding markets in Illinois, Indiana, Missouri and Tennessee will provide free Hepatitis A vaccinations to their employees.

For more information about hepatitis A visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/health-wellness/hepatitis or CDC.gov.

If you have a story idea, send it to Sherlene Shanklin at the411@whas11.com.  You can follow me on Twitter @sherlenemediapr and Instagram @Sherlenemediapro.

 

 

The VIPP Report: Two more people working in the food industry diagnosed with Hepatitis A in Louisville

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The Louisville Metro Health Department just released that two additional businesses have an employee working in local food service establishments have been diagnosed with Hepatitis A.

Here’s the information they just released:

  • An employee of the Kroger store at 520 N 35th St. Customers who shopped at the store from March 2-19 may have been exposed to the hepatitis A virus.
  • An employee of Sarino restaurant at 1030 Goss Ave. Customers who ate at the restaurant from February 24 through March 15 may have been exposed to the hepatitis A virus.

Symptoms of hepatitis A are fatigue, decreased appetite, stomach pain, nausea, darkened urine, pale stools and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). People can become ill 15 to 50 days after being exposed to the virus. Customers experiencing symptoms should seek medical attention.

Hepatitis A is usually transmitted by putting something in your mouth such as an object, food or drink, which has been in contact with the feces of an infected person. In November, the Kentucky Department for Public Health declared a statewide hepatitis A outbreak. To date there have been 159 cases diagnosed in Louisville.

“The best ways to prevent hepatitis A infection are to get vaccinated and to practice good hand washing,” said Dr. Lori Caloia, medical director. “Washing your hands thoroughly and often with warm water and soap, especially before preparing meals or eating, after using the bathroom or changing a diaper is a proven way to prevent the spread of diseases. Hand sanitizer is not effective against hepatitis A.”

“We are vaccinating employees at both locations to protect them and prevent the further spread of the disease,” added Dr. Caloia. “And Kroger is donating 100 doses of the vaccine to assist with curtailing the outbreak. We encourage other businesses to either donate vaccine or immunize their employees against hepatitis A,” said Dr. Caloia.

“As we approach a very fun and busy spring season in Louisville,” Caloia added, “we are encouraging all food service establishments to be vigilant in emphasizing good hygiene and sanitation practices. We also encourage food service workers to get vaccinated.”

People who wish to get the hepatitis A vaccine should see their doctor or primary care provider. The vaccine is also available at Kroger Little Clinics and pharmacies, as well as Walgreens, Rite Aid and the University of Louisville Pharmacy, 550 S. Jackson St. The hepatitis A vaccination is covered by most insurance plans.

Food service establishments wishing to provide hepatitis A vaccine for their employees can contact Dr. Ruth Carrico at the University of Louisville Global Health Center at 502-852-1324. You can pay for and designate vaccine for your employees at their walk-in clinic, or, if you have 20 or more employees, the clinic nurses can come to your site.

For more information on hepatitis A visit https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hav/afaq.htm.

The VIPP Report: An associate at a Kroger Store in Louisville diagnosed with Hepatitis A virus

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By Sherlene Shanklin

Tonight, Kroger Stores released that one of their employees has the Hepatitis A virus.  The store in question is located at 4915 Dixie Hwy in Louisville? This is what i know.  An associate at that store has been diagnosed with the Hepatitis A virus. While infected, this associate worked at the store in February in the produce department. As a result, some customers who visited the store and shopped the produce section from February 4 to February 28 may be at risk of exposure to the Hepatitis A virus. 

Any produce purchased during that time from that Kroger should be discarded. Customers and others who may have consumed that produce should be familiar with the symptoms of Hepatitis A and seek medical attention, if needed. Kroger is cooperating fully with local and state health officials to identify associates and customers who may be at risk for infection.

Kroger released the following:

Kroger is committed to the health and well-being of all of our associates and customers.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) “Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable, communicable disease of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). It is usually transmitted person-to-person through the fecal-oral route or consumption of contaminated food or water. Hepatitis A is a self-limited disease that does not result in chronic infection. Most adults with hepatitis A have symptoms, including fatigue, low appetite, stomach pain, nausea, and jaundice, that usually resolve within 2 months of infection; most children less than 6 years of age do not have symptoms or have an unrecognized infection. Antibodies produced in response to hepatitis A infection last for life and protect against reinfection. The best way to prevent hepatitis A infection is to get vaccinated.” Customers who may have been exposed are encouraged to visit www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hav for more information.

I pulled up the CDC link for you and this is what you need to watch out for in regards to symptoms.

  • Hepatitis A can have an abrupt onset of symptoms that can include:
    • fever
    • fatigue
    • loss of appetite
    • nausea
    • abdominal discomfort
    • dark urine
    • yellowing of the skin and eyes
    • pale colored stools
    • and joint pain
  • People with hepatitis A virus infection may not have any signs or symptoms of the disease.
  • Older people are more likely to have symptoms than children.
  • About 70 percent of children younger than 6 who are infected have no symptoms.
  • In adults and older children, most infections are accompanied by symptoms and more than 70 percent of those cases include yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice).
  • Signs and symptoms usually last fewer than 2 months, although some people have prolonged or relapsing disease lasting as long as 6 months.  Relapsing disease is usually less severe.
  • There is no chronic form of hepatitis A.

Note-some of them sound like flu-like symptoms so watch them closely if you have them.

According to the CDC-A blood test is needed to diagnose Hepatitis A.  Talk to your doctor of someone from your local health department if you suspect that you have been exposed.

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