Hep A Case in Calgary Eatery

[ocelot]

Alert issued after hep A case in Calgary eatery
Last Updated: Tuesday, May 15, 2007 | 4:13 PM MT
CBC News
The Calgary Health Region set up a special vaccination centre Tuesday following a confirmed case of Hepatitis A in a worker at a local restaurant.

The food handler was employed at the Wildwood Grill and Brewing Company at 2417, 4th Street S.W. and likely contracted the disease while travelling abroad, according to health officials.

The health region urged people who ate at the Wildwood between April 30 and May 13 to contact Health Link, the region's telephone line staffed by nurses. The only exceptions are those who are already immune to hep A or have been vaccinated.

A vaccination centre was set to open Tuesday night from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the health region's office at 1509 Centre Street S.

The restaurant has voluntarily closed its doors until the entire premise can be disinfected.

Hepatitis A is a viral infection that affects the liver. Symptoms include fever, fatigue and nausea followed by yellow jaundice.

A vaccine will offer protection from the virus if received within 14 days after contact.

However, if more time has elapsed since contact with the virus, there is no preventative vaccine or medication, health officials warn.

[ocelot]

Hundreds line up for hep A vaccine in Calgary
Last Updated: Wednesday, May 16, 2007 | 4:01 PM MT
CBC News

A lineup of Calgarians needing a hepatitis A vaccination stretched out the door and around the corner of a health centre Wednesday afternoon following a confirmed case of the liver infection in a Calgary restaurant worker.

The food handler was employed at the Wildwood Grill and Brewing Company at 2417 Fourth St. S.W.

The Calgary Health Region is urging people who ate at the Wildwood between April 30 and May 13 to contact Health Link, the region's telephone line staffed by nurses.

Health officials have set up two impromptu vaccination clinics, including one at their downtown office at 1509 Centre St. S.

Carolyn Johns, who was in the lineup Wednesday, praised the Calgary Health Region.

"They're pulling in extra staff to handle that, so hopefully that will help," she said. "No, I'm not worried, but I'm certainly wanting to get this vaccine to be on the safe side."

About 320 people were vaccinated Tuesday night.

Among them was Jen Reasbeck-Eggermont and the rest of her family, who lined up for the vaccine because of a birthday lunch last week at the Wildwood Grill.

"This person didn't get a vaccination and went travelling and then worked in the food industry. It just seems like such common sense, and it's taking everyone else's health for granted by doing that."

The restaurant is closed while it is being decontaminated. Owner Josef Wiewer said the employee contracted hepatitis A on a recent trip to southeast Asia.

"The person is fine. We talked to them today. More than anything else, he feels really, really bad because they had to close down the restaurant."

Dr. Judy MacDonald with the Calgary Health Region said this case should be a lesson for people planning an overseas vacation.

"They should be thinking about visiting a travel clinic or talking to their physicians about getting vaccinations that will protect them against diseases such as hepatitis A."

Hepatitis A is a viral infection that affects the liver. Symptoms include fever, fatigue and nausea, followed by yellow jaundice.

A vaccine will offer protection from the virus if received within 14 days after contact.

However, if more time has elapsed since contact with the virus, there is no preventive vaccine or medication, health officials warn.

[ocelot]

I work at the Kilkenny Irish Pub in Calgary and everyone at work has gotten asked if they were at the Wildwood Grill and Brewing Company during the time frame. We are not allowing anyone to work that was there during the time frame. This just shows how something that may seem very small can become a major deal. Get your vaccinations before you travel.