Breaking: Hepatitis A traced to West Jordan 7-Eleven

Illustration: webmd

WEST JORDAN, Utah, Jan. 7, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — Customers who used the restroom or ate certain items at the West Jordan 7-Eleven, 2666 W. 7800 South, anytime from Tuesday, Dec. 26, through Wednesday, Jan. 3, may have been exposed to hepatitis A and should contact the Salt Lake County Health Department immediately.

Hepatitis A is an extremely contagious virus that infects the liver.

This notice has been issued by the health department and applies to anyone who was in this particular store on or between the above dates, and who used the restroom or consumed any of the following items:

  • Fountain drink or other self-serve beverage
  • Fresh fruit
  • Any item from the store’s hot food case, such as pizza, hot dogs, chicken wings, or taquitos

The notice is only for the 7-Eleven store at 2666 W. 7800 South.

“Packaged items, including bottled beverages and microwaved foods, are NOT implicated in the possible exposure. Customers who consumed only packaged or bottled items do not need to contact the health department. Customers who are fully vaccinated (two doses) against hepatitis A also do not need to contact the health department,” the news release states.

Anyone who was in the store and may have been exposed is urged to call 385-468-INFO (4636).

The phone line will be staffed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. beginning Monday.

Health department staff will screen callers for their exposure risk and provide them with options for receiving the preventive hepatitis A vaccine.

It’s important that people receive the vaccine as soon as possible after exposure to hepatitis A.

Based on the average sales volume for this particular store, health officials estimate as many as 2,000 customers may be affected.

According to the news release, “The possible hepatitis A exposure occurred when an infected employee worked while ill and potentially handled certain items in the store.

“SLCoHD believes this case is linked to the ongoing outbreak Salt Lake County has been experiencing since August 2017. 7-Eleven is cooperating fully with the health department’s investigation and response and, since discovering the possible exposure, has sanitized the affected store according to health department recommendations.”

Hepatitis A vaccine is covered by most insurance plans and is widely available at local pharmacies, health care providers and SLCoHD immunization clinics.

To make an appointment at a health department immunization clinic, call 385-468-SHOT (7468).

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