Health Department officials in Austin, Texas, are warning patrons of a popular Whataburger franchise, located near the University of Texas, that they may have been exposed to the hepatitis A virus (HAV) by a food-service employee who was recently diagnosed with the liver disease, My Fox Austin reports.
Anyone who ate at the restaurant between August 7 and August 19 may be at risk for hep A, according to officials. However, the likelihood of an infection is low, they said, thanks to a quick response from the franchise. The infected employee has been taken off the schedule at the burger joint until fully recovered. The restaurant has also made sure that all of its staff were vaccinated for hepatitis A within 72 hours of the scare.
Hep A is typically transmitted by fecal-oral contact, meaning that it may be transmitted to customers by infected food handlers who haven’t washed their hands properly. Those most at risk include people who are 75 and older, immune compromised, have a blood-clotting disorder or who already have chronic liver disease.
Experts said that concerned customers most likely will not need to take any action, but that they should look out for signs of nausea, fatigue, vomiting, abdominal pain or jaundice within the next few weeks. Whataburger has also set up a hotline at 844-569-5555 to field any questions or concerns from the community.
To read Fox’s full report on the warning, click here.
Texas Burger Joint Warns Customers of Possible Hep A Exposure
Comments
Comments