June 18, 2024
Hepatitis A Exposure at Food Demonstration at Ace Hardware of Rome
The Oneida County Health Department (OCHD) has learned of a Hepatitis A exposure. During the food demonstration at Ace Hardware in Rome, the positive person prepared and cooked food while infectious with Hepatitis A. Patrons who consumed this food may have been exposed.
The Health Department is alerting those who sampled food at the store of the potential exposure.
The Hepatitis vaccine is effective if given within two weeks (14 days) of exposure. For those who consumed the food on Saturday, June 8th, you must receive preventive treatment by Saturday, June 22nd.
Those who consumed food on Saturday, June 1st are past the window to receive the vaccine but should monitor themselves for symptoms.
Hepatitis A vaccinations can be obtained through your primary doctor or through OCHD. A Hepatitis A vaccination clinic has been scheduled on Friday, June 21, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. to accommodate those exposed. You can schedule an appointment here or by calling 315-798-5747 and press 2. Oneida County offices are closed to the public for the Juneteenth holiday on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. Please leave a message with your name, date of birth, phone number and date of exposure. Due to the volume of calls expected, please leave only one message and your call will be returned.
Symptoms commonly appear within 28 days of exposure, with a range of 15 to 50 days. According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, symptoms of Hepatitis A include:
- Yellow skin or eyes
- Lack of appetite
- Upset stomach
- Stomach pain
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Dark urine or light-colored stools
- Joint pain
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
Hepatitis A is transmitted by consuming food or drinks or by using utensils that have been handled by an infected person. It may also be spread from person to person by ingesting something that has been contaminated by the infected person. Casual contact, such as sitting together, does not spread the virus. If you have any of these symptoms, please contact your doctor or the Oneida County Health Department.
Ace Hardware of Rome has been notified of potential Hepatitis A exposure and is cooperating with OCHD. Follow-up inspections will occur.
“Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable disease,” said Daniel W. Gilmore, Ph.D. MPH, Director of Health. “If you’ve been exposed and not yet vaccinated, please do so to protect yourself.”
