NAPOLEON, OH (WTOL) - The Henry County Health Department has been notified of a confirmed case of Hepatitis A in a food handler working at the Taco Bell restaurant located at 605 Wood Drive in Napoleon.
Any restaurant patrons who consumed food and/or drink from the restaurant between the dates of June 11, 2018, through June 28, 2018, may have been exposed to the Hepatitis A virus. Based on this potential exposure, the health department is recommending vaccination with Hepatitis A vaccine or treatment with immune globulin for individuals who can't receive the vaccine.
Taco Bell made a statement regarding the issue:
"As soon as the operator of the Napoleon, OH Taco Bell location learned that a team member tested positive for the Hepatitis A virus, the franchisee began working immediately with Taco Bell and local health officials, following all protocols established by the Henry County Health Department.
The team member in question is on leave and won't return to work until cleared by medical professionals.
Additionally, all team members at this location have been offered vaccinations and will receive additional training on illness policies and procedures.
Ensuring the health and wellbeing of our team members and our customers is our highest priority, which is why we are taking this matter so seriously.
The Henry County health officials recommend customers who consumed food or drink at this Taco Bell location between June 11 and June 28 to contact their healthcare provider to be assessed for vaccination."– Taco Bell Corp.
HCHD is monitoring and investigating the situation to eliminate any additional risk of exposure. The individual with the Hepatitis A infection is not currently working and is receiving medical care.
"While Hepatitis A can be very serious, we do have an effective vaccine that is available," stated Mark H. Adams, RS, MPH, health commissioner at Henry County Health Department, in a news release. "We encourage anyone who has eaten at the restaurant during the dates of June 11 and June 28, 2018, to get vaccinated. Our goal as the Health Department is to keep residents safe and healthy by preventing the spread of the disease, informing residents, and providing any information they may need."
Hepatitis A vaccine or immune globulin treatment may provide protection against the disease if given within two weeks of exposure.
Anyone potentially exposed to Hepatitis A should contact their health-care provider to be assessed for vaccination or IG treatment. Hepatitis A vaccine is available from health care providers, pharmacies and at the health department.
To make an appointment for the vaccine at the health department call 419-599-5545.
People who have had Hepatitis A disease or have previously received two doses of the hepatitis A vaccine do not need to be vaccinated.
Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the Hepatitis A virus. Symptoms include fatigue, loss of appetite, fever, stomach pain or tenderness, nausea or vomiting, dark urine, gray-colored stools, and yellowing of the skin (jaundice). Most children less than 6 years of age do not experience symptoms. Symptoms typically appear 2 to 6 weeks after exposure. Individuals with symptoms should call their health care provider and seek medical care.
"As soon as the operator of the Napoleon, OH Taco Bell location learned that a team member tested positive for the Hepatitis A virus, the franchisee began working immediately with Taco Bell and local health officials, following all protocols established by the Henry County Health Department. The team member in question is on leave and won't return to work until cleared by medical professionals. Additionally, all team members at this location have been offered vaccinations and will receive additional training on illness policies and procedures. Ensuring the health and wellbeing of our team members and our customers is our highest priority, which is why we are taking this matter so seriously. The Henry County health officials recommend customers who consumed food or drink at this Taco Bell location between June 11 and June 28 to contact their healthcare provider to be assessed for vaccination."– Taco Bell Corp.
