Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
HONOLULU (AP) — Customers who visited an Oahu Taco Bell are being warned that they may have been exposed to the hepatitis A virus by an infected employee.
The Hawaii Department of Health announced Friday that the latest victim of a hepatitis A outbreak on Oahu that has sickened more than 52 people is a worker at a Taco Bell in Waipio, The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported (http://bit.ly/2a6kWnt).
Customers who visited the store between June 16 and July 11 are being told to contact their health care providers.
Earlier this week, an employee at a Baskin-Robbins ice cream store was confirmed to have the illness.
State epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Park said neither the Taco Bell nor the Baskin-Robbins have been identified as the source of infection for the current outbreak.
"These are merely places where the victims were employed," she said. "The likelihood that patrons of these food establishments will become infected is very low, but to prevent possible additional cases, we are notifying the public so they may seek advice and help from their health care providers."
Health officials say the virus can be spread by eating contaminated food, drinking contaminated water, close personal contact or sex. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, appetite loss, abdominal discomfort and diarrhea.
Frequent handwashing can help prevent the spread of the virus.
___
Information from: Honolulu Star-Advertiser, http://www.staradvertiser.com
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
