Hepatitis A case identified in restaurant employee

TORONTO, Aug. 20 /CNW/ - Toronto Public Health has identified a case of Hepatitis A in an employee at a Wendy's restaurant located at 438 Nugget Avenue in Scarborough. Anyone who consumed food purchased at this restaurant between July 26 and August 6 may have been exposed to the Hepatitis A virus. The risk of getting the infection is very low.

While the risk of infection is low, people who ate at the restaurant on any of these dates should watch for signs of illness and contact their health care provider if they experience any of the following:

    
    -   Fever
    -   Loss of appetite
    -   Tiredness
    -   Nausea/vomiting
    -   Dark urine
    -   Yellowing of the skin (jaundice).
    

Symptoms can develop up to 50 days after exposure to the virus.

Hepatitis A is a disease of the liver caused by a virus, and can be spread from person to person through contaminated food. Hepatitis A is found in the stool (bowel movement) of persons infected with the virus. Hand hygiene is extremely important in preventing the spread of Hepatitis A. Hepatitis A is not spread by coughing or sneezing. Most people who are infected recover completely with no permanent liver damage.

A vaccine is available for people at high risk of getting Hepatitis A. A fact sheet on Hepatitis A and the vaccine is available at www.toronto.ca/health/cdc/factsheets/hepatitisA_factsheet.htm.

    
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For further information: Media contact: Susan Sperling, Toronto Public Health, cell: 416-891-9589, [email protected]