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Workers at two Detroit restaurants diagnosed with Hepatitis A

Posted at 3:54 PM, Oct 30, 2017
and last updated 2017-10-30 17:37:11-04

The Detroit Health Department is investigating two separate cases of Hepatitis A, connected to two restaurants in the city.

The first cast is connected to a Detroit resident who works at the Firewater Bar and Grill on E. Milwaukee. The second is related to a Detroit resident who works as a crew member at the Little Caesars Pizza on Fenkell and Meyers.

Anyone who patronized Firewater from October 15 through the 24 or consumed food from the Little Caesars from October 15 through the 26 is being advised to consult their primary care physician to receive the Hepatits A vaccine as early as possible and before November 7.

The Detroit Health Department will be offering free Hepatitis A vaccines at both of its Immunization Clinics Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 8am to 5pm and Wednesday 9am to 6pm. The clinics are located at:

  • The Samaritan Center (5555 Conner Street Detroit, MI 48213)
  • The Family Place (8726 Woodward Avenue Detroit, MI 48202)

Both restaurants have been told by the health department that the infected employees cannot return to work, until they have been cleared by their doctors. 

The restaurants are cooperating with the investigation.

Information on Hepatitis A, from the Detroit Health Department:

Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that results from infection with the Hepatitis A virus. It can range in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a severe illness lasting several months. In over 99% of cases the body clears the disease is cleared without any long term consequences. Symptoms include fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal, and sometimes yellow eyes and skin and dark urine. A person can get hepatitis A when they eat, drink, or touch their mouth with food, liquid or objects (including their hands) that have come into contact with stool from an infected person. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek medical attention immediately.

The best way to prevent Hepatitis A is through vaccination. The other way to prevent the spread of infection is to wash hands with soap and water: after using the bathroom, after diaper changes, and before handling food.