A third location has been named. For an update, click here.
SPANISH FORK, Utah, Jan. 9, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — The Utah County Health Department has issued a warning about possible exposure to hepatitis A at a Sonic Drive-In and Olive Garden in Spanish Fork.
Anyone who consumed food or beverages or used the restroom at the following locations on the dates shown may be at risk:
- Sonic Drive-In at 971 N. Main St. in Spanish Fork on Saturday, Dec. 23 through Sunday, Dec. 24
- Olive Garden at 1092 N. Canyon Creek Parkway in Spanish Fork on Thursday, Dec. 21 through Saturday, Dec. 30
Anyone who may be at risk should visit https://health.utah.gov/investigation/ to see if they need to be vaccinated to prevent the illness.
People without Internet access should call 801-851-HEPA (4372). The phone line will be staffed from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting Wednesday.
It is extremely important for anyone who has been exposed to be vaccinated as soon as possible.
“The possible Hepatitis A exposure occurred when an infected employee worked while infectious. People with Hepatitis A are infectious before becoming symptomatic. UCHD believes these cases are linked to the ongoing outbreak Utah County and other areas of the state have been experiencing since August 2017.
“Both restaurants are cooperating fully with the health department’s investigation and response and, since discovering the possible exposure, are following additional health department recommendations,” the UCHD notice states.
Infected employees can’t return to work until they are medically cleared by the health department.
Conscientious personal hygiene and hand-washing are procedures that need to be followed by employees and enforced by managers, UCHD stated, and it is recommended that food service establishments consider vaccinating their food-handling employees against hepatitis A.
According to the news release, “Symptoms of Hepatitis A may include nausea/vomiting, abdominal pain, yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark urine, diarrhea, clay-colored stools, and fatigue. Contact your healthcare provider if you are experiencing these symptoms.”
Hepatitis A vaccine is covered by most insurance plans and is widely available at local pharmacies, health care providers and Utah County Health Department immunization clinics, the release states.
