Hep A Case Investigated In Pinal County

Pinal Co. health officials have reported that they are actively investigating a case of Hepatitis A in a food handler. The food handler worked at the Subway restaurant located at 1781 W. Hunt Highway in Queen Creek. People who ate at this restaurant between Dec. 10th & Dec. 23rd, may have been exposed to the Hepatitis A virus (HAV).

HAV is found in the stool (feces) of persons with Hepatitis A. It's usually spread from person to person by putting something in the mouth that has been contaminated with the stool of a person with Hepatitis A, even if that item appears to be clean. This may occur if a person infected with Hepatitis A does not thoroughly wash their hands after using the restroom before preparing food.

The time from when a person is exposed until they show symptoms can be from 15 – 50 days, although the average is 28-30 days. Symptoms of Hepatitis A may include jaundice (yellowing of the skin & eyes), fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea, & fever. The severity of symptoms generally increases with age. Adults may have signs & symptoms more often than children. Once a person has had Hepatitis A, they cannot get it again. There are no chronic carriers of Hepatitis A. About 15% of people infected with Hepatitis A will have prolonged or relapsing symptoms over a 6 – 9 month period.

People thinking they may have symptoms of Hepatitis A should consult a health care providers. It’s important that you wash your hands with soap & water after using the bathroom, changing a diaper, & before preparing & eating food.

Short-term protection against Hepatitis A is available from immune globulin. However, it must be given within 2 weeks after coming in contact with HAV. In this case, the last possible day of exposure at the restaurant would be Dec. 23rd, 2006, so immune globulin would not help to prevent infection from this source if people were exposed at the restaurant.

The Pinal Co. Dept. of Public Health has updated their hotline which includes updated info on the Hepatitis A case in Queen Creek. The toll-free number is: 1-866-763-7252.