Lewis County Public Health & Social Services announced today that recent customers of the Shop’N Kart bakery in Chehalis, may have been exposed to hepatitis A.
“On October 6, 2016, a case of hepatitis A in a bakery worker was reported to the Health Department,” said Danette York, Lewis County Public Health & Social Services director. “To prevent illness, persons who have not been vaccinated against hepatitis A and ate decorated cakes or cupcakes from the bakery between September 22 and October 6, 2016 should contact their healthcare provider about treatment to prevent hepatitis A,” said York.
Persons who ate these foods between September 8 and 22 may also have been exposed, but it is now too late for treatment to prevent illness. If you ate decorated cakes or cupcakes from the bakery and develop symptoms of hepatitis A, contact your healthcare provider.
Shop’N Kart contacted public health as soon as they became aware of the infection and have taken every precaution to ensure the safety of their customers. No cases of hepatitis A associated with the bakery have been reported.
Hepatitis A is a viral disease of the liver. It is spread from person to person by the fecal-oral route, often by inadequate handwashing after using the toilet or changing diapers. Typical symptoms of hepatitis A include fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). Symptoms usually develop 2–7 weeks after exposure. Some infections may be very mild or may not produce symptoms.