Gulfport Family Restaurant Worker Tests Positive For Hepatitis A

GULFPORT, FL -- An employee of the Gulfport Family Restaurant has tested positive for hepatitis A, according to the Pinellas County Department of Health.

The DOH-Pinellas conducted an epidemiological investigation and determined Tuesday that a worker at the restaurant at 2025 49th St. S. may have been infectious while working at the eatery from June 4-11.

The DOH is advising anyone who ate at the restaurant during that period who has not been vaccinated against hepatitis A to make arrangements to receive the first dose of the hepatitis A immunization.

"When a case's infectious period coincides with a work time frame that might expose the public to hepatitis A, we consider whether to do a patron notification," said Dr. Ulyee Choe, director of DOH-Pinellas. "It's not a step we take lightly, but it's one that's undertaken when it's necessary to protect the health of the public, as with this one."

Those with specific questions about exposure to hepatitis A at Gulfport Family Restaurant can call (727) 824-6932 to reach the epidemiology staff.

The DOH-Pinellas is encouraging all health care providers, including hospital emergency departments, to stay on high alert and immediately report cases to the DOH-Pinellas.

The DOH-Pinellas continues to offer the hepatitis A vaccine at no cost and without an appointment at these clinics from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays:

• St. Petersburg: 205 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N.
• Pinellas Park: 6350 76th Ave. N.
• Mid-County (Largo): 8751 Ulmerton Road
• Clearwater: 310 N. Myrtle Ave.
• Tarpon Springs: 301 S. Disston Ave.

Contact your county's health department for hepatitis A vaccinations if you live outside Pinellas.

Hepatitis A is a highly contagious disease that attacks the liver. People infected with hepatitis A are most contagious from two weeks before the onset of symptoms to one week afterward. Not everyone who is infected will have all the symptoms.

Symptoms usually start within 28 days of exposure to the virus with a range of 15 to 50 days. Symptoms can include:

• Jaundice (yellowing skin and whites of eyes)
• Fever
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue/tired
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Dark-colored urine
• Pale or clay colored stool.

Hepatitis A vaccine is the best method of preventing infection. No medicines can cure the disease once symptoms appear. People with hepatitis A symptoms should seek medical care immediately.