NORTH CAROLINA: Health Department Opens Hepatitis Clinic After Restaurant Scare

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CDC 08-09-11

NORTH CAROLINA: " Health Department Opens Hepatitis Clinic After Restaurant

Scare "

Fayetteville Observer (08.09.11)

Patrons and employees of the Olive Garden at 234 N. McPherson Church Rd. in

Fayetteville may have been exposed to hepatitis A recently, the Cumberland

County Public Health Department has warned. The potential exposure dates are

July 25, 26, 28, 29, 31, and Aug. 1, 2, and 8. Olive Garden learned of the

employee’s infection on Aug. 8, said spokesperson Mike Bernstein. Until further

notice, CCPHD will operate a walk-in immunization clinic, at which medical staff

will assess whether individuals who may have been exposed should receive

hepatitis A vaccine or immune globulin. Persons current on hepatitis A vaccine

are considered protected. Individuals who ate at the restaurant before July 25

also may have been exposed; though these patrons are now outside the timeframe

when the shots would protect them, health officials are recommending they stay

alert to signs and symptoms of hepatitis A and talk to a doctor about possible

infection.

CCPHD is located at 1235 Ramsey St.; for more information, telephone

910-433-3638. For more information about hepatitis A, visit

www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/A/index.htm.