SARASOTA – The Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County reported an employee at Duval’s Seafood restaurant tested positive for Hepatitis A possibly exposing patrons to the virus.
“Part of our investigation we found out that while the person worked there they were potentially symptomatic and there is a potential that while low patrons could have been exposed,” said Sarasota Counties Department of Health Michael Drennon.
Drennon says patrons who ate at the restaurant between April 26th-May 10th should get vaccinated against the virus.
“We’d ask them to see their primary care provider. Get checkout and make sure that if it is Hepatitis A they’re taking the appropriate precautions or if it’s something else they get treated appropriately,” said Drennon.
Symptoms included are severe stomach pain, fever, diarrhea, nausea and jaundiced eyes. Brenda Griffiths and Richard Reston both ate at the restaurant during the time of possible exposure.
“I was surprised that it’s not mandatory for health for restaurant workers in this country to have Hep A [vaccinations]. You know because they are dealing with the public all the time,” said Griffiths.
Certain information or the identity of the employee will not be released under the H.I.P.P.A Act, but Drennon says Duval’s has taken the necessary precautions to avoid further exposure and that it’s safe to eat at the seafood restaurant.
“Perfectly safe to eat there. The restaurant worker is of course not going to be working there while symptomatic or infectious and once that takes place everyone is safe to go there,” said Drennon.
In a statement released to SNN Duval’s management says “Contamination was not found within the restaurant. No other employees have contracted the illness. Duval’s of Sarasota sanitized the restaurant as advised by the Department of Public Health and then exceeded the recommendation”…. “Due to this unfortunate circumstance, in addition to all current employees, Duval’s will mandate going forward to all future employees to be vaccinated against the virus that causes Hepatitis A before being hired.”
If anyone believes they’ve been exposed during that time frame, free vaccinations are now available at the department of health offices in Sarasota and North Port.
