Health officials in Washtenaw County, MI are alerting the public to a possible hepatitis A exposure as they confirmed a case of the viral disease in a local restaurant worker.

Hepatitis A Vaccine Image/National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Hepatitis A Vaccine
Image/National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

The diagnosed individual works at Cardamom Restaurant located at 1739 Plymouth Road in Ann Arbor. Anyone who ate at the restaurant between September 16 and October 3 may have been exposed.

Health officials are providing information to alert residents and guests to the possible exposure and to recommend prompt hepatitis A vaccination or immune globulin (IG) to potentially exposed individuals.

Washtenaw County Public Health is working closely with the restaurant to vaccinate all employees and to eliminate any additional risk of exposure. The restaurant owners and employees are cooperating fully with Washtenaw County Public Health, but do not have additional information or health recommendations to provide. The individual with hepatitis A infection is not currently working and is receiving medical care.

“While hepatitis A can be very serious, we are fortunate to have an effective vaccine available,” says Jessie Kimbrough Marshall, MD, MPH, medical director with Washtenaw County Public Health. “We encourage anyone concerned about potential exposure to talk with their health care provider or Washtenaw County Public Health as soon as possible. Vaccination is strongly encouraged for all eligible individuals, as multiple counties in southeast Michigan have seen outbreaks of hepatitis A in recent months.”

LISTEN: Talking Hepatitis A with Dr Amesh Adalja

Hepatitis A vaccine or immune globulin (IG) may provide protection against the disease if given within two weeks of exposure. Anyone potentially exposed to hepatitis should contact their healthcare provider to be assessed for vaccination or IG. Hepatitis A vaccine is available from health care providers, at pharmacies and at Washtenaw County Public Health. People who have had hepatitis A disease or previously received two doses of the hepatitis A vaccine do not need to be vaccinated again.

Vacation Home Rentals with Ocean Views along the Oregon Coast from $120. Reserve Now at TurnKey Vacation Rentals.

Related: