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For the third time in as many weeks, a restaurant in South Carolina is linked to potential exposure to hepatitis A, according to the Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC).
Two weeks ago, it was a county of Lexington, South Carolina Wild Wing Cafe. Last week, it was a Teriyaki Japan restaurant in North Augusta, S.C.
This week? Zaxby's. Specifically, Zaxby's located at 4845 Tanger Outlet Boulevard in North Charleston, S.C.
According to a press release from SCDHEC, the restaurant was informed on May 31, 2019 (last Friday) that one of its employees had tested positive for hepatitis A.
"Customers who ate there between 20 and 23 May 2019 could have been exposed to the virus," the statement added, noting that the agency "is collaborating with Zaxby's to investigate possible exposures and provide preventive treatment advice for anyone affected. "
"The concern here is not the restaurant," said the state epidemiologist, Dr. Linda Bell. "It's with a food handler suffering from hepatitis A. As a precaution, in these situations, vaccination should be considered for people who have been exposed during the period when the food-processing agent was contagious. "
SCDHEC added in its publication that "potentially exposed" customers between May 21st and May 23rd are encouraged to "contact their health care provider or pharmacy about post-exposure treatment". They may also visit the Northwoods Public Health Clinic at 2070 Northbrook Boulevard, Suite A20 in North Charleston between 9 am and 5 pm EST Tuesday to Thursday (June 4-6) to see if they need to be vaccinated.
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Customers who visited the restaurant on May 20 "probably will not benefit from post-exposure treatment," according to SCDHEC.
These people are encouraged to "monitor the symptoms of infection such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain or yellowing of the eyes and skin" and to "seek medical attention if symptoms occur".
Restaurant customers with concerns or questions are asked to call the SCDHEC Careline at 1-855-4SC-DHEC (1-855-472-3432). Staff will be available at this number between 08:00 and 18:00. EDT Monday to Friday to answer your questions.
SCDHEC declared a state-wide outbreak of hepatitis A on May 13th. According to the latest data from the agency, between November 1, 2018 and May 31, 2019, 121 cases of hepatitis A have been reported in the state of Palmetto. This is more than five times the number of cases (19) typically observed during a year in South Carolina.
Hepatitis A is a contagious infection of the liver – one of the many causes of inflammation "affecting your liver's ability to function," according to the Mayo Clinic. It is caused by a virus that is usually transmitted by person-to-person contact with someone with the infection – or by eating or drinking food or water that is contaminated by an infected person.
For more information on hepatitis A, visit the SCDHEC website or this page on the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.
-FitsNouvelles
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