Case Of Hepatitis A At South Jersey Dunkin' Donuts: Officials

A worker at a Dunkin’ Donuts in Turnersville has been diagnosed with hepatitis A, the Gloucester County Health Department announced on Friday.

The employee worked at the 460 Hurfville-Cross Keys Road location while potentially infected between May 18 and June 1, officials said. Management is cooperating with sanitary procedures and the investigation, according to officials.

The risk of exposure to people who ate or drank at that Dunkin’ Donuts is low, but officials recommend they receive “post-exposure prophylaxis” (PEP) out of an abundance of caution.

A vaccine and/or immune globulin and can further reduce the risk of acquiring hepatitis A. To be effective, PEP should be received as soon as possible, but no later than June 15, 2019.

All employees affected were identified and were able to return to work after receiving PEP, officials said.

The case was reported three months after state officials declared an outbreak of hepatitis A in three counties, including Gloucester, Camden and Burlington. Read more here: Hepatitis A Outbreak In NJ: Here's Where, What It Means

See related: Hepatitis A Notice Involving Ocean City Dunkin' Donuts: Officials

Hepatitis A vaccine, the PEP that most people will need, may be obtained at your healthcare provider, or from a pharmacy with a prescription.

Individuals should schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider or pharmacy. Those without medical insurance that covers vaccines can contact the Gloucester County Health Department at 856-218-4101.

Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that results from infection with the hepatitis A virus. It can range in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a severe illness lasting several months.

Hepatitis A is usually spread when a person ingests fecal matter, even in microscopic amounts, from contact with objects, food, or drinks contaminated by the feces or stool of an infected person. Signs and symptoms of hepatitis A can include the following:

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal discomfort
• Dark urine
• Clay-colored bowel movement
• Joint pain
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)

Signs and symptoms usually appear two to four weeks after exposure, although they may occur two to seven weeks after exposure. Children under six years of age with hepatitis A often do not have or show few signs and symptoms.

For more information on hepatitis A, contact the Gloucester County Health Department at 856-218-4101.