VANDERBURGH COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
420 MULBERRY STREET
EVANSVILLE, INDIANA 47713-1231
www.vanderburghgov.org/health
Email: health@vanderburghgov.org
Media Release
| Raymond Nicholson, M.D. |
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
|
| HEALTH OFFICER |
|
Use until May 17, 2012
|
| 435-2400 |
|
|
Hepatitis A Post Exposure Shot Clinics
EVANSVILLE, May 11, 2012--The Vanderburgh County Health Department and the Indiana State Department of Health are investigating a case of Hepatitis A in a food worker at the Lone Star Restaurant located in the Eastland Place Shopping Center at 943 N. Green River Road Evansville IN, 47715-2418.
Persons who were exposed and unvaccinated can receive a dose of Hepatitis A vaccine to help lessen the effects of the disease or prevent disease if given within 14 days of exposure. Persons who ate or drank at the Lone Star from April 20-April 26 could also get Hepatitis A, but should not receive vaccine because it is not effective for exposure past 14 days. Those people should seek medical care if they show symptoms of Hepatitis A.
Anyone who ate or drank at the Lone Star between April 27, 2012 and May 3, 2012 may have been exposed and at risk of developing Hepatitis A. Persons who are fully vaccinated against Hepatitis A or have a previous history of Hepatitis A disease are considered protected from disease and not at risk.
Hepatitis A vaccine will be provided at the Vanderburgh County Health Department at 420 Mulberry Street beginning Friday, May 11, 2012 from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. and continue daily from Saturday, May 12 through Thursday, May 17, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m each day. Persons MUST receive the vaccine within 14 days of exposure for the vaccine to be effective. Persons presenting for vaccine 14 or more days after exposure will not be vaccinated and instead will be counseled on the signs and symptoms of Hepatitis A and instructed to seek medical care if they develop symptoms. The vaccine is free of charge.
Hepatitis A is a viral infection of the liver. The incubation period (time of exposure to development of symptoms) is usually 2 to 7 weeks. Symptoms may include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, pale colored stools, and dark urine. Jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and eyes, may occur a few days after symptoms appear. Symptoms usually last one to two weeks but can last longer. Symptoms are more likely to occur in adults than in children. Severe complications are rare and occur more often in persons who have liver disease or a weakened immune system.
Hepatitis A is spread person-to-person by the fecal-oral route and occurs when a person eats food or drinks a beverage contaminated by someone with the virus. Thorough hand washing after using the restroom, after changing diapers, and before touching or preparing food or drinks is the best way to control the spread of Hepatitis A.
If you need further information the public can visit the Health Department website at www.vanderburghgov.org/health and click on the Hepatitis button. You can also email the VCHD at health@vanderburghgov.org, or call the Department at 435-2400.
###
www.vanderburghgov.org/health