A case of hepatitis A has been diagnosed in an employee who handled food at Doc’s Bainbridge Restaurant located at 3920 U.S. 50, Bainbridge, Ohio. Ross County Health District is notifying patrons that ate at this restaurant from May 31, 2018 through June 9, 2018 may have been exposed to the Hepatitis A virus.
While the risk is low for restaurant patrons to become infected with hepatitis A virus due to an infected food handler, anyone who consumed food or drink at Doc’s Bainbridge Restaurant on May 31, 2018 through June 9, 2018 is recommended to receive vaccination within 14 days after eating at the restaurant as further protection from becoming ill.
Doc’s Bainbridge Restaurant is working with the health disrict to prevent any new cases from arising in the community as a result of this case. Vaccinations are available at the Ross County Health District at 150 East 2nd Street, Chillicothe, or your local pharmacy.
Anyone who consumed food and/or drink at Doc’s Bainbridge Restaurant on April 24, 2018 through June 9, 2018 is also asked to: Monitor their health for symptoms of hepatitis A infection up to 50 days after exposure. Wash their hands with soap and warm water frequently and thoroughly, especially after using the bathroom and before preparing food. Stay at home and contact their healthcare provider immediately if symptoms of hepatitis A infection develop. Careful hand washing, including under the fingernails, with soap and water, along with vaccination of anyone at risk of infection, will prevent the spread of this disease.
Hepatitis A is a viral infection of the liver that can cause loss of appetite, nausea, tiredness, fever, stomach pain, brown colored urine, and light colored stools. Yellowing of the skin or eyes may also appear. People can become ill up to seven weeks after being exposed to the virus. Hepatitis A usually spreads when a person unknowingly ingests the virus from objects, food, or drinks contaminated by small, undetected amounts of stool from an infected person. The virus spreads when an infected person does not wash his/her hands adequately after using the toilet or engages in behaviors that increase risk of infection.
CDC recommends hepatitis A vaccination for the following groups:
All children at age 1-year
Travelers to countries that have high rates of hepatitis A
Family members and caregivers of recent adoptees from countries where hepatitis A is common
Men who have sexual contact with other men
People who use injection and non-injection illegal drugs
People with chronic (lifelong) liver diseases, such as hepatitis B or hepatitis C
People who are treated with clotting-factor concentrates
People who work with hepatitis A infected animals or in a hepatitis A research laboratory
For more information, call the Ross County Health District at 740-775-1146.