Public alert for potential hepatitis A exposure

Location:

Denny's Restaurant Granville - 7231 Winterburn Rd NW, Edmonton

Exposure time periods:

September 19: 3 p.m. - 10 p.m.
September 20: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
September 21: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
September 25: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
September 26: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Those who consumed food or drink prepared at this location during the noted timeframes may be eligible for post-exposure immunization and should call Health Link at 811 for assessment of exposure and risk.

Post-exposure immunization can only be provided within 14 days after an exposure and can prevent illness from occurring. The single dose of vaccine is sufficient to protect a potentially affected individual from this hepatitis A exposure.

If post exposure immunization is not received, individuals should watch for symptoms of disease for 50 days after potential exposure and contact their physician if they develop any symptoms.

Symptoms of hepatitis A include:

• Tiredness;
• Poor appetite;
• Nausea and vomiting;
• Abdominal pain and fever;
• Followed by dark-coloured urine, light-coloured stools, and yellowing of eyes and skin several days later.
• Some people, especially young children, may get hepatitis A infection without noticing any symptoms; however, they are still infectious to others.

Hepatitis A is an infection of the liver caused by a virus. Spread through the fecal-oral route, individuals primarily contract hepatitis A through direct contact with an infected person; however, individuals can also contract the illness indirectly by ingestion of contaminated food or water.

If an infected individual does not properly wash their hands after using the washroom, the virus can be transmitted through food and beverages prepared by the infected individual.

For information on hepatitis A immunizations, visit ahs.ca/immunization.

You can also learn more about hepatitis A at MyHealthAlberta.ca.

This communication is issued under the authority of a Medical Officer of Health reporting to the department of Primary and Preventative Health Services within the Government of Alberta. Communicable diseases are managed collaboratively between Primary and Preventive Health Services and Primary Care Alberta.