Customers who ate at Hardee’s at 451 Killian Road, Richland County, between June 4 and June 20, 2019, might have been exposed to the hepatitis A virus.
South Carolina Department Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) was notified on June 21, 2019, that an employee of the restaurant tested positive for hepatitis A.
DHEC is working with Hardee’s to investigate possible exposures and provide guidance for preventive treatment for anyone who may be affected.
The concern is not the restaurant but is with a food handler who has hepatitis A infection, and they can spread the virus up to two weeks before they know they are sick. The risk of the hepatitis A virus spreading from an infected employee to customers in a restaurant setting is low.
The restaurant received an A rating from DHEC at the last inspection conducted on May 13, 2019. The restaurant has complied with DHEC recommendations for cleaning and vaccination of employees.
Post-exposure vaccination should be considered for individuals who have not been vaccinated if it can be given within two weeks from their date of consuming anything from the restaurant.
People who ate food prepared at the restaurant between June 10 and June 20, 2019, may contact their medical provider or pharmacy about post exposure treatment. In South Carolina, adults 18 years and older can get vaccinated at some local pharmacies without a prescription, depending on your insurance coverage.
Restaurant patrons who were potentially exposed also can visit the Richland County Health Department, 2000 Hampton St., Columbia, from Noon to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday (June 25), 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m. Wednesday (June 26) and 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m. Wednesday (June 27). No appointment is necessary.
The vaccine is not shown to prevent infection when administered more than 14 days after a specific exposure. However, vaccination more than 14 days after exposure will give long-lasting protection from infection from future exposures.
Hmm, sounds a bit familiar?
Hardee’s Hepatitis A Outbreak and Litigation
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environment (SCDHE) warned patrons who ate at Hardees restaurant on Little Rock Road in Charlotte between June 13 and 23, 2018 to receive a hepatitis A vaccination as soon as possible. Over 2,000 customers received vaccinations
Hardee’s Hepatitis A Class Action Lawsuit
On September 17, 2015, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environment (SCDHE) was notified that an employee at a Hardee’s location in Lyman and Duncan had tested positive for hepatitis A and had been working at the restaurants during his hepatitis A infection. 3,700 customers received vaccinations.
Since the hepatitis A outbreaks were first identified by the CDC in 2016, 24 states have publicly reported the following as of June 21, 2019:
- Cases: 20,512
- Hospitalizations: 11,776 (57%)
- Deaths: 194
Hepatitis A: Marler Clark, The Food Safety Law Firm, is the nation’s leading law firm representing victims of Hepatitis A outbreaks. The Hepatitis A lawyers of Marler Clark have represented thousands of victims of Hepatitis A and other foodborne illness outbreaks and have recovered over $650 million for clients. Marler Clark is the only law firm in the nation with a practice focused exclusively on foodborne illness litigation. Our Hepatitis A lawyers have litigated Hepatitis A cases stemming from outbreaks traced to a variety of sources, such as green onions, lettuce and restaurant food. The law firm has brought Hepatitis A lawsuits against such companies as Costco, Subway, McDonald’s, Red Robin, Chipotle, Quiznos and Carl’s Jr. We proudly represented the family of Donald Rockwell, who died after consuming hepatitis A tainted food and Richard Miller, who required a liver transplant after eating food at a Chi-Chi’s restaurant.
If you or a family member became ill with a Hepatitis A infection after consuming food and you’re interested in pursuing a legal claim, contact the Marler Clark Hepatitis A attorneys for a free case evaluation.