A food worker in downtown Sun City tests positive for hepatitis A, say health officials



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SUN CITY CENTER, Fla. – A Sun City Center food service employee tested positive for the highly infectious hepatitis A virus for the liver.

The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County said the employee was working at Sandpiper Grille on South Pebble Beach Boulevard.

The authorities received confirmation of the laboratory case on March 30 and immediately began an epidemiological investigation. During the investigation, health officials determined that the worker was handling food and could have exposed his clients to hepatitis A.

Health officials recommend hepatitis A vaccine to anyone who ate or drank at the restaurant between March 20 and 24. Anyone who has already received the vaccine does not need to take any further action, officials said.

Local health officials offer the vaccine free of charge between 19:30 and 15:30. on weekdays at Sulfur Springs Health Complex at 8605 Mitchell Ave in Tampa. A special vaccination center will also be set up at the Joyce Ely Health Center, located at 205 14th Ave in Ruskin, between 9 am and 1 pm the Saturday.

A telephone line has been set up for people with questions: 813-307-8004.

Symptoms of hepatitis A can include yellowing of the skin or eyes, fever, diarrhea, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, stomach pain vomiting and dark urine or pale stools. No medicine can cure the disease, but people with symptoms should immediately call a doctor. Most people get better with time, but sometimes they have to be hospitalized. Exposed individuals may receive a vaccine or immunoglobulin within 14 days. This can help prevent infection.

By phone, a Sandpiper Grille official declined to comment.

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