Case of Hepatitis A confirmed at Milton restaurant
Published August 19, 2022 at 2:55 pm
Halton Region Public Health recently confirmed a case of Hepatitis A at a restaurant in Milton.
According to the region, they were notified on Aug. 18 of a case of Hepatitis A in a food handler, who worked at Chopped Leaf, located at 840 Main St. East.
As a result, customers who visited Chopped Leaf from July 30 to Aug. 5 or Aug. 8 to 14 may have been exposed.
The region confirmed that the restaurant is working closely with Halton Region Public Health and that the premises have been inspected and are compliant with public health standards.
“We believe the risk of transmission is low, however, as a precaution, exposed people should monitor for signs and symptoms for 50 days,” said Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Medical Officer of Health for Halton Region.
“The disease can result in a liver infection and can be a greater health risk for older adults and those with liver disease. The hepatitis A vaccine is an effective protection against the disease.”
Videos
A vaccine for Hepatitis A given within 14 days of exposure may prevent the disease, according to the region.
Individuals who have already received two doses of the Hepatitis A vaccine or have had a Hepatitis A infection will have immunity from the disease and do not require the vaccine.
Free immunization clinics are being held at 180 Market Dr. in Milton on Saturday, Aug. 20 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 21 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Monday, Aug. 22 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
All patrons who ate or drank at the restaurant during the periods mentioned above should monitor for symptoms of Hepatitis A and contact their health care provider if they experience any.
Hepatitis A is an infectious disease caused by a virus that attacks the liver. While symptoms usually occur within 28 to 30 days after the virus enters the body, they can begin any time between 15 to 50 days after exposure.
Common symptoms of hepatitis A include fever, general feeling of discomfort, illness, or uneasiness, abdominal discomfort, loss of appetite, tiredness, nausea and vomiting, dark urine and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes).
Hepatitis A is spread from person to person by putting something in the mouth that has been contaminated with the stool of a person that has the disease.
Once infected, a person can pass the virus to others for two weeks or more before they even know they are ill.
To help prevent a hepatitis A infection, it’s important to wash hands thoroughly, especially after using the toilet, avoid eating raw fish or shellfish, avoid sharing food and common items such as cutlery and water bottles and drink properly treated or bottled water if travelling outside of Canada.
To learn more about Hepatitis A, visit Halton’s Preventing Communicable Diseases webpage.
insauga's Editorial Standards and Policies advertising