[ad_1]
Tina Weber, left, and Jim Rimar, director of operations at Lancaster Golden Corral, change pan on the buffet line on Thursday, July 12, 2018, in Lancaster. Golden Corral restaurants offer free vaccines against hepatitis A to eight employees in Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky, with the goal of curbing an epidemic in this part of the country
Matthew Berry / Eagle-Gazette
LANCASTER, Ohio – To cope with an outbreak of hepatitis A, Golden Corral restaurants offer free vaccines to their employees in eight cities of Ohio, Virginia. Western and Kentucky.
The latest hepatitis A outbreak began in Louisville Jace Stickdorn, managing director of Platinum Corral, a franchisee with locations in Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky.
But he said that there was no case of the disease at any of the eight Golden Corral locations in his area. Stickdorn also said that there was a 100% stake among the employees of the vaccination initiative.
"The southern part of our market was affected first," he said. "We have decided to be proactive and protect our staff, our customers and the community, we offer a basic level of protection, and it has cost us a lot."
Fairfield County, Ohio, Larry Hanna Hepatitis A can be transferred to restaurants of employees who do not wash their hands after using the restroom.
More: A woman dies of hepatitis A after eating frozen pomegranate
For more information:
For more information: The price of food: What is driving up food bills? A look at the Top 20
Stickdorn says that other restaurants also vaccinate their employees. Bekah Sutter, a nurse from the local health department, said some local restaurants had also called her agency.
The Ohio Department of Health declared a nationwide hepatitis A epidemic last month. That number is almost double that of last year
The Ohio Department of Health said there were 761 cases in Kentucky, 843 in Michigan, 248 in Virginia West and 138 in Indiana this year.
Sutter said that there have been two cases of hepatitis A in Fairfield County this year and two possible cases last year. She said that the two possible cases from last year can not be confirmed, however.
Hanna said that the outbreak was particularly bad in counties along the Ohio River and in the Appalachian region of Ohio. He also said that he thinks that the chances of getting hepatitis A from a restaurant are low.
The ODH said that hepatitis A is a liver disease that can be prevented with the vaccine. Sutter said that it is not the same disease as hepatitis C or hepatitis B and that it is not usually fatal. She said that hepatitis A can cause various symptoms, including nausea, diarrhea, headaches, discomfort and more.
He says that it spreads when some ingestion of feces, even microscopic amounts. Fecal matter can be transferred through objects, food or drinks contaminated by the stools of an infected person, says the ODH.
It can also be transmitted by certain types of badual contact. Drug use is also badociated with hepatitis A and the latest epidemic has also been linked to those who have been incarcerated. Hanna said tattoo needles in dirty jails are a reason for jail cases.
Twitter: @JeffDBarron
Copyright 2017 USATODAY.com
