Residents of the Chestermere and Langdon areas who ate at the Original Joe’s Restaurant and Bar in Strathmore between June 9 to 19 were at risk of contracting hepatitis A after a worker there was found to have the disease, according to Alberta Health Services Spokesperson Shannon Evans.
“In Alberta, hepatitis is a reportable illness so whenever someone gets diagnosed with it via blood test Alberta Health Services (AHS) is notified,” Evans said. “The individual had symptoms, sought medical attention for it, was tested and then the result was brought to AHS’s attention when it was confirmed as positive.”
Hepatitis A is an infection of the liver caused by a virus. The virus is generally found in parts of the developing world, according to Evans. Those with the disease experience poor appetite, nausea and vomiting, pain and fever and yellowing of the skin and eyes.
It is transmitted through direct contact with someone who has the disease or through ingesting contaminated food or water.
AHS offered the hepatitis A vaccine to anyone who thought they may have been infected at a series of clinics in Calgary, Strathmore and Chestermere on June 23 and June 24. According to Evans, 400 people visited the clinic to get the vaccine on June 23 and an additional 310 received the vaccine on June 24.
While there is no treatment for hepatitis A, the vaccine, if administered within 14 days of exposure, can prevent the disease.
“(The vaccine) can prevent it but it has to be given within 14 days of exposure to be used as a preventative measure,” Evans said. “That’s why we have the window of time (to offer the vaccine.)”
People who did not consume food at the restaurant, or those who had already had the hepatitis A vaccine, were not at risk, Evans said.
People planning to travel where hepatitis A is prevalent should get the vaccine before leaving.
“They should get it proactively before travelling so if they are exposed to it while they’re away they’ll already have hepatitis A vaccine on board so their body will already be able to fight it,” she said.
According to Dr. Judy MacDonald, Medical Officer of Health for the Calgary Zone of AHS, once a person contracts hepatitis A he or she is immune for life after the virus leaves their system.
“This is unlike hepatitis B and C which can cause chronic liver disease that may last for life (if not successfully treated),” she said. “This is not to say that hepatitis A is a trivial infection. Hep A can be serious, especially in adults, and cause severe, disabling disease for several months; in some cases it can be prolonged or relapsing over as long as 12 months in about 15 per cent of cases.
“Though hep A may not damage the liver itself,” MacDonald continued, “those with underlying liver disease who contract hep A can develop fulminant (severe and sudden) liver disease with an increased risk of death as a result.”
