Officials urge vaccination after Dunkin & Donuts employees in New Jersey have tested positive for hepatitis A



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What you need to know

  • A Dunkin & Donuts employee on Hurffville-Crosskeys Road in Turnersville, New Jersey, tested positive for hepatitis A.

  • The person worked at the donut shop while potentially infected between May 18th and June 1st.

  • Anyone who may have been exposed and who does not have the Hep A vaccine should contact their health care provider.

Health officials in Gloucester County, New Jersey, warn Dunkin 'Donuts customers about possible exposure to hepatitis A and urge people to get vaccinated.

A Dunkin 'Donuts worker at 460 Hurffville-Crosskeys Road. In Turnersville, the screening test for transmissible liver disease has been positive, the Gloucester County Department of Health said Friday, on the occasion of National Donor Day.

"This person worked while potentially contagious between May 18 and June 1," GCDOH said in a press release.

County health officials said the risk for anyone drinking or drinking at the store during the contamination period was low, but they recommend "post-exposure prophylaxis" for unvaccinated people.

"PEP consists of a vaccine against hepatitis A and / or an immunoglobulin and can further reduce the risk of contracting hepatitis A," GCDOH said. "To be effective, PEP should be received as soon as possible, but no later than June 15, 2019."

Most health care providers can administer PEP, said the county. People without medical insurance can call GCDOH at 856-218-4101.

The Dunkin site management cooperated with the county investigation and initiated sanitary procedures, GCDOH said. Other store employees received PEP and were able to return to work.

Dunkin & # 39; Donuts said that he was taking the deal "very seriously".

"At Dunkin ', our number one priority is always the health and safety of our customers and the employees of our franchisees," the company said in a statement. "… After reviewing the diagnosis, our franchisee, who independently owns and operates the workplace, immediately took proactive steps to collaborate with the Gloucester County Health Department and clean and disinfect the restaurant. "

"We want to assure our customers that all restaurant managers and shift managers of our franchisees must be trained and qualified for all aspects of food safety, including disinfection procedures and the management of notifiable diseases," continued the company. "Our franchisees are also required to comply with all applicable local, state and federal guidelines and regulations, as well as to meet our high standards of food safety and quality. "

The following is the description of hepatitis A by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

"Hepatitis A is a transmissible liver disease that can be prevented by a vaccine and caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). It is usually transmitted from person to person through the fecal-oral route or through the consumption of contaminated food or water. Hepatitis A is a self-limiting disease that does not cause chronic infection. Most adults with hepatitis A have symptoms, such as fatigue, lack of appetite, stomach pain, nausea, and jaundice, which usually go away within 2 months of the time of day. infection. most children under 6 years of age have no symptoms or have an unrecognized infection. Antibodies produced in response to infection with hepatitis A last a lifetime and protect against re-infection. The best way to prevent hepatitis A infection is to get vaccinated. "

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