A confirmed hepatitis A case in a food worker at a Alberta restaurant has prompted a health warning in the neighboring province of Saskatchewan. Earlier this week, Alberta Health Services confirmed a case of hepatitis A in a food handler working at the Original Joe’s Restaurant and Bar located at #8, 100 Ranch Market in Strathmore, Alberta.
Health officials say customers who consumed food from this Original Joe’s in Strathmore, from June 9 to June 19 (inclusive), may have been exposed to hepatitis A.
Hepatitis A vaccination clinic were held on June 23 and 24 in the province.
Saskatchewan health authorities issued a warning Friday for its residents saying: Given the volume of travel between Alberta and Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan public health officials are informing the public about a confirmed case of hepatitis A in a food handler who worked at an Original Joe’s Restaurant and Bar in Strathmore, Alberta.
Although the risk of contracting hepatitis A through this exposure is low, hepatitis A is a serious infection. Individuals who have had hepatitis A infection in the past or who have previously received two doses of hepatitis A vaccine are not at risk of infection.
Symptoms of hepatitis A may include fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, nausea, jaundice, dark-coloured urine and light-coloured stools. After exposure, symptoms may take two to seven weeks to appear. However, people become infectious to others two weeks prior to onset of symptoms.
Hepatitis A infection can be prevented when hepatitis A vaccine is given within 14 days of exposure.
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