Local health officials say customers of Papa Murphy’s in Chubbuck may have been exposed to Hepatitis A on April 19th , 20th, or 21st, as an employee there was confirmed on May 2nd as having the disease.   Currently, there is no evidence of a hepatitis A outbreak associated with Papa Murphy’s in Chubbuck.

Officials say while the risk to public health is low, the possibility exists that Papa Murphy’s customers could have been exposed to hepatitis A.

The Chubbuck store will be closed Friday, May 3, for a full store cleaning, and will reopen on Saturday, May 4.

Southeastern Idaho Public Health is recommending that those persons who are not immune to hepatitis A (due to previous vaccination or previous illness) and who have eaten uncooked food (for example, uncooked cookie dough, uncooked pizza toppings, or salad) from Papa Murphy’s in Chubbuck on April 20th or 21st receive hepatitis A vaccine or immune globulin (IG) immediately. In addition, anyone who has consumed uncooked food from Papa Murphy’s in Chubbuck from April 6th-April 18th should contact their medical provider if they are exhibiting any symptoms of hepatitis (please see below).

Please consider the following when deciding to call to make an appointment:

• If you consumed uncooked food from Papa Murphy’s in Chubbuck on April 19th, 20th, or 21st, you can benefit from the vaccine, which is very effective in preventing illness, but you must get the vaccination immediately. The vaccine is recommended for children and adults from the ages of 12 months to 40 years of age who are not pregnant, immune-compromised or have chronic liver disease.

• If you are over 40 years of age, pregnant, immune-compromised, have chronic liver disease or are an infant under 12 months of age, and ate uncooked food from Papa Murphy’s in Chubbuck on April 19th, 20th, or 21st, immune globulin (IG) is available for prevention of infections.

• Because neither the hepatitis A vaccine, nor the immune globulin, will protect you if you ate uncooked food from Papa Murphy’s between April 6th and April 19th you should watch for symptoms of hepatitis A (please see below). If you experience symptoms, please contact your medical provider.
Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus. Hepatitis A can affect anyone. Hepatitis A virus is usually spread by eating or drinking food items that have been contaminated with hepatitis A from someone who hasn’t properly washed their hands after using the bathroom.
Symptoms usually occur abruptly and may include:

• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Abdominal discomfort
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin & eyes)
• Tiredness
• Nausea
• Dark urine

For more information on hepatitis A, please visit Southeastern Idaho Public Health’s website at www.siphidaho.org or call 234-5888.