Hepatitis An outbreak at the New Jersey Golf Club affects nearly two dozen people, a "seriously ill" person

A hepatitis epidemic linked to a New Jersey golf and tennis club has sickened nearly two dozen people, health officials said.

At least 23 people – including one "critically ill," according to the New Jersey Department of Health, have contracted hepatitis A from a catering professional at Mendham Golf & Tennis Club. Sick people were probably exposed between 9 and 30 June but were not informed of any possible exposure before 5 July.

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"The food handler was excluded from work and a review of other food handlers for vaccination and proof of immunity was conducted. Close contacts of the food handler have been identified and administered as prophylaxis (vaccine or drug to prevent post-exposure illness), "according to a statement from the New Jersey Department of Health.

The outbreak was contained in the club reserved for members.

When members are informed, they are invited to inform guests who have possibly dined at the club with them.

"This notification also indicated that people who dined at the club while the food handler was potentially infectious should receive post-exposure prophylaxis," health officials said.

The "highly contagious" liver infection is caused by the hepatitis A virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The virus usually spreads when a person eats or drinks something "contaminated with small undetected amounts of stool from an infected person," the health agency said.

Those who contract Hepatitis A – not to be confused with hepatitis B or C, which are caused by different viruses – can be sick for "several weeks" and usually heal completely, according to the CDC. It is rare to die from this disease, although hepatitis A can cause liver failure and death, usually in people aged 50 and older.

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Symptoms include fever, fatigue, dark urine, vomiting, joint pain and jaundice, among other signs.

Although hepatitis A infections occur in the United States, they are more common in developing countries where sanitation and hygiene are poor, says the CDC.

The disease can be prevented with a vaccine.