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Last updated on Friday, May 4, 2018
(BEDFORD) - Lawrence County Health Officer Dr. Alan Smith confirmed a Marco’s Pizza employee has been diagnosed with Hepatitis A.
Dr. Smith says Marco's is being cooperative in the investigation.
While the risks are deemed low, there is a possibility for anyone who may have dined at the location during the third week of April to have contracted the disease.
A virus typically spreads when you eat and drink something contaminated with fecal matter, even tiny amounts. However the Centers for Disease Control say that by cooking a pizza or any food, it kills the hepatitis A virus.
Dr. Smith says, symptoms usually develop two to six weeks after being infected. The person could run a fever, have vomiting, dark urine, pale stools, nausea, fatigue, abdominal pain and/or jaundice.
The hepatitis A vaccine must be given two weeks before exposure, so anyone receiving the vaccination after being exposed to the disease likely won't have time to develop the antibodies necessary to prevent the illness.
Dr. Smith emphasized that the person with hepatitis A is not a carrier like with other strains.
Health Department employees have interviewed the employee and staff at the restaurant along with anyone the infected person has come into contact with.
Before the Health Department arrived the owner had closed the restaurant for a thorough cleaning. The Health Department then inspected the facility and it was allowed to reopen.
Although additional cases are unlikely to occur, Marco's Pizza is working with Health Department officials to take every step to keep the community safe.
The public can help stop the spread of the virus by thoroughly washing their hands after using the bathroom and before preparing food.
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