Pennsylvania Department of Health Extends Hepatitis A Clinic

November 7, 2003

HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Calvin B. Johnson today announced that the department will extend its Hepatitis A clinic in Beaver County to Saturday, Nov. 8, and Monday, Nov. 10.

ADVERTISEMENTThe clinic will be held at the Dome at Beaver County Community College tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Monday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

"The Department of Health has been actively involved in investigating the Hepatitis A outbreak and providing those at risk for infection with immune globulin (IG) during the past week," said Johnson. "The cooperation and assistance of state, county and local partners and the local medical community have enabled us to reach out to more than 6,300 people."

Concerned residents are encouraged to contact their doctors with questions or to get tested for Hepatitis A. The Department of Health's toll-free information line (1-877-724-3258) will also remain available to answer any questions.

During the past three days, the department has screened more than 6,300 people. About 5,800 injections of immune globulin have been given. More than 185 cases of Hepatitis A have been confirmed.

The department is recommending that individuals who ate at the Beaver Valley Mall Chi-Chi's restaurant after Oct. 22 receive an injection of immune globulin, an antibody treatment that will greatly lessen the chance of acquiring the disease. People who ate at the restaurant before Oct. 22 will not benefit from immune globulin but should remain alert to the development of Hepatitis A.

The Hepatitis A virus is found in the stool of people with Hepatitis A. It is spread from person to person by putting anything in the mouth that has been contaminated with the stool containing Hepatitis A. The virus is easily spread in areas with poor sanitation or poor personal hygiene.

Food items presenting the highest risk are salads, sandwiches and other items such as nachos that often involve food-handler contact and then are not cooked. A person who has Hepatitis A can accidentally pass the virus to others within the same household. Good personal hygiene and proper sanitation can help prevent Hepatitis A.

People who develop Hepatitis A almost always recover without further complications. People may experience a range of symptoms, including fever, tiredness, weakness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and jaundice and a yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes. The disease may appear suddenly and last from one to several weeks. People who develop jaundice from Hepatitis A are typically infectious for two weeks before and one week after jaundice begins.

CONTACT: Jay Pagni, Office: +1-717-787-1783, or Cell: +1-717-576-4915, or Jessica Seiders, Office: +1-717-787-1783, or Cell: +1-717-576-3152, both of the Pennsylvania Department of Health.


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Source: Pennsylvania Department of Health

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