A worker at an Olive Garden restaurant in Deptford, New Jersey tested positive for hepatitis A, prompting health officials to collaborate with the restaurant to maintain proper protocols and prevent further spread of the disease. The infected employee, who last worked 10 days before being diagnosed, will not return to work until officially released by a doctor. Health officials urge those unsure of their hepatitis A vaccine status to contact their healthcare provider, as getting the vaccine within two weeks of exposure can be helpful.
A food handler at an Olive Garden in Deptford, New Jersey, tested positive for Hepatitis A, prompting county health officials to urge diners who may have been exposed to get vaccinated. Symptoms of the viral illness include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, tiredness, poor appetite, jaundice, and dark urine, with a two to seven week incubation period. The county is working with the restaurant to vaccinate potentially exposed co-workers, and anyone with questions is encouraged to contact the county health department.
A norovirus outbreak that affected over 300 people in Tazewell County, Illinois, has been linked to a sick food handler at a restaurant. The outbreak occurred during Thanksgiving week, with symptoms including vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea. Investigators determined that the food handler had ungloved contact with salad, toppings, and dressings during food preparation. The salad was identified as the likely source of contamination. The restaurant voluntarily closed for disinfection and implemented measures to educate food handlers on hand hygiene. The outbreak extended beyond the county, with cases reported in other Illinois counties and 12 additional states. Norovirus is a highly contagious virus and the leading cause of foodborne illness in the U.S.
