A case of Hepatitis A has been confirmed in a food worker at Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen on earl Core Road, according to the Monongalia County Health Department.
“While the risk of contracting Hepatitis A from a food worker is low, people who have not been vaccinated against Hepatitis A who have consumed food from the restaurant within the past two weeks should consider getting a Hepatitis A vaccine to prevent infection,” said Dr. Lee B. Smith, MCHD executive director and county health officer.
The dates the employee worked at Popeyes while potentially contagious are Sept. 30-Oct. 16, the health department says. That means people who ate food from the restaurant starting Oct. 9 can still benefit from the Hepatitis A vaccine. If vaccinated within two weeks of being exposed, it can prevent Hepatitis A infection.
Symptoms of Hepatitis A can be any combination of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, low-grade fever, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, muscle and joint aches, dark urine, weight loss and jaundice.