Starbucks employee tested positive for hepatitis A and thousands of customers need to be vaccinated | United States

A Starbucks employee in New Jersey Food handling and testing positive for hepatitis A may have exposed thousands to the virus Customizable.

Includes manifestations of hepatitis A. Anyone who has visited Starbucks on November 4, 5, 6, 11, 12 and 13 at 1490 Blackwood Clementon Road, According to District Spokesman Dan Keeshan.

“The incident was reported to the Department of Health and the Starbucks store was closed immediately.” Kishan told CNN.

For Starbucks and frequent visitors Those who have not been vaccinated against hepatitis A are advised to “get vaccinated as soon as possible, but not later than 14 days after contact”. The health department said in a statement.

Hepatitis A vaccines in New Jersey

“There is the district health department To work closely with the patient and Starbucks staff to deal with the situation, “ Camden County Health Officer Pascal Navago said in a news release.

“Our highest priority is to ensure that everyone involved is safe and healthy. The patient is not currently working and close contacts have been identified. We encourage anyone who believes they have been vaccinated against hepatitis A by calling the district health department or their primary care physician.

Provided by public health workers 17 hepatitis A vaccines for Starbucks staff Thursday They set up a nearby pop-up vaccination clinic on Fridays and Saturdays, Kishen said.

“Starbucks says the place will always be full, like most,” Kishen said. “It simply came to our notice then An average of 600 customers a day and some returning customers several times a day … but the exposure can be in the thousands.

Starbucks visitors should definitely get vaccinated

The A Starbucks employee infected with the virus is recovering. So far, no one has been tested positive for hepatitis A infectionThe speaker said.

“I found out that my daughter and I may have had hepatitis A infection. Today I was able to get vaccinated and I feel better,” Kishen told WABC, a CNN subsidiary.

“If he had come inside If you come in contact with an object that has left the self-service or entered the building, you should be vaccinated. “, Health officials said.

“Our public health workers travel hundreds of miles across the state, in some cases, In vaccinating across the state, “Kishen explained.” Hepatitis A vaccine levels are not high in New Jersey.

The district has successfully received 500 medications As the demand for the vaccine continues to rise, another pop-up clinic is scheduled for Wednesday.

What is hepatitis A and what are its symptoms?

Hepatitis A is the most contagious liver infection According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it can be spread through close contact with an infected person or through ingestion of contaminated food or beverages.

Symptoms include: The CDC states that fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort and jaundice and usually appear two to six weeks after infection and last less than two months.

The The rate of hepatitis A in the United States has dropped by more than 95% According to the CDC, the vaccine was first available in 1995.

Neighboring Philadelphia declared a public health emergency in 2019 due to an increase in hepatitis A and most of the cases occurred among people at risk in Kensington.