MCDONALD'S WORKER EXPOSES THOUSANDS TO HEPATITIS A VIRUS
A Milan, Illinois McDonald's employee infected with hepatitis A, who worked while ill for seven days in July, possibly spread the virus to McDonald's patrons who consumed food or beverages at the restaurant from July 6-10 or July 13-14. Authorities are urging an estimated 10,000 people who ate at the Milan McDonald's during this time period to seek out preventive treatment for the virus.
Illinois Health officials reportedly did not know about the case until July 13. McDonald's corporate office released a statement that said the restaurant learned of the case from health officials on that day. Authorities are trying to learn why the case went unreported for more than three weeks. Rock Island County Officials in particular are asking for an investigation into the outbreak and handling of the situation, requesting the sheriff's department to look into the outbreak.
Rock Island County Health Department is currently administering free hepatitis A vaccinations to people ages 1 to 40, who may have been exposed to the virus. Others can receive immune globulin, a substance rich in antibodies that is given as a shot. Preventive treatments are most effective within two weeks of exposure, health officials said. With the public health and tax dollars at stake, county officials want to know whether the outbreak could have been avoided and who is at fault.
According to the National Institute of Health, hepatitis A is spread primarily through food or water contaminated by feces from an infected person. Thus, in restaurant outbreaks, hepatitis A is usually spread by a worker who didn't wash his or her hands properly after using the bathroom. The Illinois Department of Public Health regulates food service sanitation in Illinois, including when and where food service employees must wash hands while engaged in food preparation. Restaurant owners have a duty to make sure their restaurant maintains the highest of sanitary standards and remove employees affected by such highly communicable diseases like hepatitis A.
The hepatitis A virus can cause liver swelling. Symptoms include fatigue, abdominal pain, jaundice, vomiting and fever and can appear from 15 to 50 days after exposure. Very few cases of hepatitis A are fatal; however, if you are suffering from any of these symptoms, contact a doctor immediately.
