Hepatitis A Case Alert – December 1, 2014

Late today (Monday, December 1, 2014), the Hamilton Township Department of Health was informed by the New Jersey Department of Health of a confirmed case of Hepatitis A involving a food worker employed at Rosa’s Restaurant and Catering located at 3442 South Broad St, Hamilton Township, NJ.

Health officials warn that people who ate at this restaurant or catered from this restaurant from November 10, 2014 through December 1, 2014 may be at risk for developing Hepatitis A if they have not been previously vaccinated with the Hepatitis A vaccine. Unvaccinated individuals who ate there should receive an injection of immune globulin or Hepatitis A vaccine if their exposure occurred from November 10, 2014 through December 1, 2014. These individuals should contact their primary care providers or if uninsured their local health department to receive the immunization. Both immune globulin and Hepatitis A vaccine can prevent infection with the hepatitis A virus if given within 14 days of exposure.

Uninsured Hamilton residents should please call the Hamilton Health Department located on 2100 Greenwood Avenue, Hamilton, New Jersey at 609-890-3884 for an appointment.

· The early signs and symptoms of Hepatitis A appear 2-6 weeks after exposure and commonly include the following:

o mild fever

o loss of appetite

o nausea

o vomiting

o diarrhea

o tiredness

o pain in the upper right side of the abdomen under the rib cage

o dark urine and jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin)

The disease varies in severity, with mild cases lasting two weeks or less and more severe cases lasting 4-6 weeks or longer. Some individuals especially children, may not develop jaundice and may have an illness so mild that it can go unnoticed. However, even persons with mild symptoms can be highly infectious. Persons with symptoms suggestive of Hepatitis A should consult a physician even if symptoms are mild.

Persons who ate at Rosa’s Restaurant and Catering from November 10, 2014 to December 1, 2014 are urged to be particularly thorough with hand washing after toileting and prior to food preparation to avoid any potential for further spread of disease. They should not prepare or handle food for anyone outside of their immediate family.

At all times, hand washing should include vigorous washing of hands with soap and running warm water for a minimum of 20 seconds. All surfaces should be washed down including the back of the hands, wrists, between fingers and under the fingernails.

Hamilton Township officials will hold a press conference tomorrow morning (Tuesday, December 2, 2014) at the HamStat Call Center Training Room (located a 5 Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. Way) beginning at 11:00 AM to provide information and answer questions to the media and public.

Additional information regarding Hepatitis A can be viewed at the following website: http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/ChooseA.htm

Also, beginning at 8:30 AM tomorrow morning (Tuesday, December 2, 2014), resident can also contact the Hamilton Township Division of Health at 609-890-3884.