WHITFIELD COUNTY, GA – A case of hepatitis A has been diagnosed in a food handler at Crescent City Tavern located in downtown Dalton. An investigation found that this employee worked while infectious this past December 28 through January 31. It is relatively rare for restaurant patrons to become infected with hepatitis A virus due to an infected food handler, but anyone who consumed food or drink at the Crescent City Tavern on the above dates should contact their healthcare provider to determine if a hepatitis A immunization is needed to prevent the disease.
Hepatitis A immunization is also available at the Whitfield County Health Department at 800 Professional Boulevard in Dalton through the Child Health Program with no out-of-pocket cost, regardless of insurance status.
Anyone who consumed food and/or drink at the restaurant on the dates that employee worked is also asked to:
- Monitor their health for symptoms of hepatitis A infection up to 50 days after exposure.
- Wash their hands with soap and warm water frequently and thoroughly, especially after using the bathroom and before preparing food.
- Stay at home and contact their healthcare provider immediately if symptoms of hepatitis A infection develop.
Careful hand washing, including under the fingernails, with soap and water, along with vaccination of anyone at risk of infection, will prevent the spread of this disease.
Hepatitis A is a viral infection of the liver that can cause loss of appetite, nausea, tiredness, fever, stomach pain, dark-colored urine and light-colored stools. Yellowing of the skin or eyes may also appear. People can become ill up to 50 days after being exposed to the virus.
Hepatitis A is acquired when a person unknowingly ingests the virus from objects, food, or drinks contaminated by small, undetected amounts of stool from an infected person. The virus spreads when an infected person does not wash his/her hands adequately after using the toilet or engages in behaviors that increase risk of infection.
For more information on hepatitis A, go to www.cdc.gov/hepatitis. Also, please click here for hepatitis A talking points related to this incident and here for hepatitis A general information from the CDC.