More Hep A cases in food service employees reported

HUNTINGTON - Cabell County's first confirmed case of hepatitis A in a food service worker was announced in a joint statement from the Cabell-Huntington Health Department and O'Charley's Restaurant and Bar in Barboursville on Thursday.

"While the risk of disease transmission is very low, persons who have not been vaccinated against hepatitis A and who consumed food or drink at the restaurant between May 6 and May 13, 2018, should consider getting hepatitis A vaccine injection not more than two weeks after their exposure to help prevent infection," said Dr. Michael Kilkenny, physician director for the Cabell-Huntington Health Department.

Cabell-Huntington Health Department officials said that as of last Friday, seven cases of hepatitis A have been confirmed in Cabell County.

"An outbreak status update for Cabell County will be released Friday," said Elizabeth Adkins, director of health and wellness at the Cabell-Huntington Health Department.

Officials with O'Charley's said the restaurant is committed to the health and safety of employees and guests.

"As soon as O'Charley's was made aware of the situation, they alerted the department of health to ensure all necessary steps were taken to guarantee the safety of their restaurant community," the company said in a prepared statement.

"The department of health reviewed O'Charley's food handling practices and did not find a need for critical action beyond establishing general awareness of the incident among guests. O'Charley's will continue partnering with the health department while upholding a commitment to the highest health and food safety standards within all restaurants."

Meanwhile, three more hepatitis A cases in a food service worker have been confirmed by the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department.

The health department says it can confirm at least one case of hepatitis A in food service workers at American Inn at 419 Hurricane Creek Road in Hurricane, West Virginia, Buck's Pizza at 4001 1st Ave. in Nitro, West Virginia, and McDonald's at 312 Hurricane Creek Road in Hurricane.

In Kentucky, a food handler at R.J. Kahuna's at the Kyova Mall was diagnosed with hepatitis A, according to the Ashland-Boyd County Health Department. This is the sixth such diagnosis for a restaurant employee in Boyd County since the beginning of February as Kentucky is gripped by a widespread outbreak of the disease.

Although transmission risk is low, all three health departments recommend patrons who consumed food or drinks at the restaurants monitor for hepatitis A symptoms. These include abdominal pain, dark urine, fatigue, fever, yellowing of the skin and eyes, light-colored stools, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting.

Hepatitis A is a viral disease of the liver, health officials said, and it is spread from person to person by the "fecal-oral" route, often by inadequate handwashing after using the toilet or changing diapers.

Health officials said thorough handwashing with soap and hot water after using the toilet and before handling food is the most important factor in preventing spread. They added that vaccinations are highly effective if received within 14 days of exposure.

Hepatitis A vaccine is available from most health care provider offices, pharmacies and urgent care clinics, but officials say you should call ahead to ensure availability.

The Cabell-Huntington Health Department reported that it has limited vaccine available for individuals without insurance who can't afford it.

Additional information on hepatitis A can be obtained at www.cabellhealth.org or https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hav/.

Follow reporter Fred Pace at Facebook.com/FredPaceHD and via Twitter @FredPaceHD.