“I Ordered Pepperoni, Not Hepatitis”: Serious Hepatitis A Outbreak Detroit Area Pizzerias
‘Serious hepatitis A outbreak’ confirmed at Detroit area pizzerias
Two cases of hepatitis A in Metro Detroit have been confirmed, and health officials are advising people who spent time in two restaurants in late November to see a doctor
Pizza workers who failed to properly wash their hands are suspected in a serious hepatitis outbreak in Michigan.
The Oakland County Health Division urged customers who visited Papa Romano’s to contact their doctors if they have any symptoms, after an employee was found to have the disease.
Vaccination can prevent the disease if given within 14 days after exposure, said health officer Leigh-Anne Stafford in a news release.
“Southeast Michigan is experiencing a serious hepatitis A outbreak. All residents are urged to get vaccinated, especially food handlers and healthcare providers, and to wash hands thoroughly.”
The Detroit Health Department is also investigating a hepatitis A case linked to Paul’s Pizza. An employee stopped working at the restaurant after noticing symptoms, officials said.
Watch for these symptoms
Hepatitis A is an infection of the liver caused by a virus shed in feces and is most commonly spread through unclean hands, according to the Oakland County Health Division.
Symptoms include: Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, headache, dark urine, and/or vomiting often followed by yellowing of the skin and eyes and may appear 14 to 50 days later.
“Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious illness lasting several months,” said Dr. Pamela Hackert, medical director for the Health Division.
