Nearly two dozen people contracted Hepatitis A from a food handler at a golf club in Mendham last month, officials said.

The Morris County Office of Health Management on Thursday said that 22 people contracted Hepatitis A from the food handler at the Mendham Golf & Tennis Club, likely between June 9 and June 30.

Notifications to those who were exposed to the virus, however, weren’t made until July 5.

Officials said that the July notification was made roughly two days after first learning of the infected food handler.

“At that point, they notified,” said Larry Ragonese, spokesman at the Morris County Office of Health Management.

Ragonese said the food handler had gone to a hospital, where tests turned up the rare and highly contagious virus.

“There was no delay,” he said. “As soon as the hospital notified the state and the state sent their notice through their system … that information came to Mendham Township and to their health officer.”

The township said in a statement on Thursday that the outbreak was contained to the club, which is members only. A spokeswoman for the township referred all questions to Kathy Basile, of the county health department.

Basile did not return a call for comment on Thursday.

The township noted that other cases could develop until Aug. 19, which is 50 days from when the food handler was last infectious (the incubation period for Hepatitis A is 15 to 50 days).

The township said that it consulted with the New Jersey Department of Health and that the food handler was “excluded from work and required to provide medical clearance from a physician in order to return to work.”

Officials said the club sent out a letter on July 5 advising all club members of the exposure and posted a notice at the club.

The notifications also advised members to “inform any guests who may have joined them to dine at the club,” according to the New Jersey Department of Health.

The township said an on-site investigation of the club’s food services was found to be in compliance with hand hygiene and glove use.

“No food which may have been handled by the infected food handler was noted,” the statement said.

A recommendation was made for all those exposed and unvaccinated to receive treatment within two weeks from the last day the food handler was infectious and working at the club.

Hepatitis A, a disease of the liver caused by a virus, is primarily spread through close contact with a person or through the consumption of contaminated food.

“While individuals with hepatitis A may be quite ill, the risk of transmission is to those who had close contact to the case and patrons of the club who consumed food prepared by the ill worker,” the state Health Department said.

The township said throughout the investigation the club has remained “cooperative in taking all recommended actions.”

For further information on Hepatitis A, see the New Jersey Department of Health’s fact sheet here.

Anyone with further questions or concerns about Hepatitis A or believes they may have been exposed can contact the Morris County Office of Health Management at 973-682-4942.

Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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