An employee of an Asbury Park restaurant tested positive for Hepatitis A and the Monmouth County Health Department has asked anyone who dined there to be cautious.
An investigation by the department found that an employee of Cardinal Provisions, a brunch restaurant located on Bangs Avenue, worked while infectious on Sept. 7-10, 12, 14, 17, 19, and 21, according to a release from Monmouth County.
Health department staff visited the eatery and conducted and inspection which found no evidence of food safety violations, however the restaurant voluntarily closed and did not reopen until all of its exposed employees were vaccinated.
The county asked anyone who dined at the restaurant on any of the dates the employee was infectious to consider receiving a vaccination within two weeks from the last date of exposure, and to monitor their health for symptoms of Hepatitis A infection for up to 50 days after exposure. They were also asked to wash their hands with soap and warm water frequently and thoroughly, especially after using the bathroom and before preparing food. The department also advised anyone experiencing symptoms to stay home and consult a doctor.
While it is uncommon for restaurant patrons to become infected with Hepatitis A virus due to an infected food handler, the virus can be caught through ingestion of contaminated food and water or through direct contact with an infectious person.
Hepatitis A is a viral infection of the liver that can cause loss of appetite, nausea, tiredness, fever, stomach pain, brown-colored urine, and light-colored stools, county officials said. Yellowing of the skin or eyes is another possible symptom.
People can become ill up to seven weeks after being exposed to the virus.
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Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.
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