DPH: An employee of Rockport Seafood Restaurant Has Hepatitis A



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ROCKPORT, Mass. – State health officials are warning the public who ate at a Rockport restaurant about a possible exposure to hepatitis A.

Anyone who has eaten cold or uncooked food, or who does not know what they ate at Roy Moore's Fish Shack in Rockport between April 21 and May 12, should see a doctor for possible exposure to hepatitis A, announced Friday the Department of Public Health in a statement.

A restaurant food service employee who worked on these dates has a confirmed case of hepatitis A.

Clients are advised to follow appropriate medical treatment in the event of possible exposure to hepatitis A. Hepatitis A vaccine and hepatitis A immunoglobulin may be effective in preventing hepatitis infection A if they are administered within two weeks of exposure.

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Confused customers showed up Friday at the popular restaurant to find a closed sign on the door.

"I'm worried now that I will have to educate myself," Kenneth Robinson of Rockport said.

Robinson and others shared their concerns.

"Now I'm going to ask the doctor to look at the situation for me. Yeah, it makes me nervous, "said Robinson.

Cold or uncooked foods include salads and salad items, rolls, bread, hamburger and hot dog buns, fruit or vegetable fillings, cold desserts, hamburger condiments or sandwiches such as pickles and onions, potato chips, ice cream or ice-cream drinks.

The first signs and symptoms of hepatitis A are fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and jaundice (dark urine, yellowing of the skin or white of the eyes).

The severity of the disease varies, mild cases lasting two weeks or less and more severe cases of four to six weeks or more. Some people, especially children, may not develop jaundice and have such a mild illness that it may go unnoticed. But even slightly sick people can still be very contagious.

People with hepatitis-like illness should see a doctor, even if the symptoms are mild, health officials said.

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Jim Gutstadt of Rockport is among the clients who said the closure was coming at a bad time, before the Memorial Day weekend. Boston 25 contacted Roy Moore's Fish Shack to find out when they could reopen but could not get an answer.

"It's unfortunate, I do not know much about it, but it's still a good place to eat," Gutstadt said.

Robinson agreed.

"It's still a very famous place, you know, the food is excellent here and the good people, yeah, I'm surprised," he said.

Hepatitis A virus is spread through faecal contamination, oral or faecal, and can be transmitted from person to person through close contact or by handling food. The virus can be transmitted by contaminated food and drink.

People who have eaten cold or uncooked food in Roy Moore's fish shed between April 21st and May 12th are advised to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water after using the bathroom and before preparing food to prevent a possible spread of the disease.

For more information, call the Massachusetts Department of Public Health at 617-983-6800.

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