Restaurant Workers Test Positive for Hep A
Within the past couple weeks some popular restaurants in Tampa had workers test positive for Hep A.
ABC Action News reported, “The Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County says they have identified a positive case of Hepatitis A in a person who worked at The Toasted Monkey bar and grill in St. Pete Beach.” They also reported that, “Officials say the person worked at the restaurant, located at 6110 Gulf Boulevard, between October 17 and October 28, 2018. They say anyone who frequented this restaurant during that time, who has not been vaccinated for Hepatitis A, should get the vaccine as soon as possible. If you have received the vaccine, you don’t need to take any action.” Hamburger Mary’s in Ybor also recently had a worker test positive.
Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection. The best way to prevent it is to receive the vaccine. Currently CDC does not recommend or require Hep A vaccinations for people in the food service industry. People in Pinellas County are wanting that to change!
Do you think a Hep A vaccine should be a requirement?
Mayo Clinic has the following overview on Hep A:
Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. The virus is one of several types of hepatitis viruses that cause inflammation and affect your liver’s ability to function.
You’re most likely to get hepatitis A from contaminated food or water or from close contact with a person or object that’s infected. Mild cases of hepatitis A don’t require treatment. Most people who are infected recover completely with no permanent liver damage.
Here is the full symptoms and causes defined by the Mayo Clinic Hepatitis A Symptoms and Causes – Mayo Clinic