Center City Retaurant Worker Has Hepatitis A: Health Department

PHILADELPHIA — A worker at a Center City Philadelphia Italian restaurant has acute Hepatitis A, according to the Philadelphia Department of Public Health.

The department recently confirmed that a person who works at Ristorante La Buca, 711 Locust St. in Center City, has acute Hepatitis A.

Anyone who dined at the restaurant between Monday, Oct. 28th and lunch service on Friday, Nov. 15 get Hepatitis A vaccine as soon as possible, even with the risk of infection being low.

Those who have previously received two doses of Hepatitis A vaccine or have had Hepatitis A in the past do not need to be vaccinated, the department said.

The best way to prevent Hepatitis A is through vaccination with the Hepatitis A vaccine and to get the full benefit of the Hepatitis A vaccine, more than one shot is needed.

Practicing good hand hygiene – including thoroughly washing hands after using the bathroom, changing diapers, and before preparing or eating food – plays an important role in preventing the spread of Hepatitis A.

People who need Hepatitis A vaccine should contact their healthcare provider’s office or visit a pharmacy to receive vaccine.

The Health Department maintains an online list of pharmacies that can provide hepatitis A vaccine. Check with the individual pharmacy to determine whether your insurance is accepted.

Hepatitis A is an infection of the liver.

It can spread when a person who has Hepatitis A does not wash their hands very thoroughly after using the bathroom and then prepares food.

People infected with Hepatitis A usually develop symptoms two to six weeks after they had contact with the virus.

Illness can range from mild cases of diarrhea and vomiting to more severe symptoms of jaundice. Other symptoms include fever, low energy, stomach pain, and dark urine.

There is no medication to treat Hepatitis A. Many people get better on their own at home but some people can become very sick and need to be hospitalized. If you develop Hepatitis A symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.

On Aug. 1st, the Health Commissioner declared a public health emergency in response to continuing rapid increases in Hepatitis A in the city.

More recently, a worker at a donut shop was confirmed to have acute Hepatitis A.