That is coming a bit late for some patrons at the High Hampton Inn restaurant in Cashiers, North Carolina.  Public health officials are investigating a report of an isolated case of Hepatitis A in an employee at the High Hampton Inn restaurant in Cashiers, North Carolina.

As a precautionary measure, the Jackson County Department of Public Health is asking any people who ate at the High Hampton Inn restaurant from April 26-29 or May 1, 2013 to contact the health department for information on how to avoid illness in the event of exposure.

We have been retained by two of those people.

Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by the Hepatitis A virus. It is usually spread by eating or drinking items that have been contaminated with the virus or by close personal contact with an infected person. Symptoms appear 2–7 weeks after exposure and commonly include fever, a feeling of being unwell, loss of appetite, diarrhea, nausea and abdominal discomfort; urine may become darker in color and jaundice (a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes) may appear. Some individuals, especially children, may not develop jaundice, and may have an illness so mild that it can go unnoticed. However, even mildly ill persons can still be highly infectious.

Illness may be avoided if hepatitis vaccine or another protective medicine is given within 14 days of exposure or if an exposed individual has previously had a hepatitis A infection or vaccine. There is no specific treatment for the disease; however, most people recover without complications after several weeks. People who have pre-existing liver problems can become extremely ill if they contract hepatitis A.

Hepatitis A:  Marler Clark, The Food Safety Law Firm, is the nation’s leading law firm representing victims of Hepatitis A outbreaks. The Hepatitis A lawyers of Marler Clark have represented thousands of victims of Hepatitis A and other foodborne illness outbreaks and have recovered over $600 million for clients.  Marler Clark is the only law firm in the nation with a practice focused exclusively on foodborne illness litigation.  Our Hepatitis A lawyers have litigated Hepatitis A cases stemming from outbreaks traced to a variety of sources, such as green onions, lettuce and restaurant food.  The law firm has brought Hepatitis A lawsuits against such companies as Subway, McDonald’s, Chipotle, Quiznos, Chi-Chi’s and Carl’s Jr.

If you or a family member became ill with a Hepatitis A infection after consuming food and you’re interested in pursuing a legal claim, contact the Marler Clark Hepatitis A attorneys for a free case evaluation.

Any patron who ate at High Hampton Inn between April 26 and May 1 is considered at risk, according to the Jackson County Health Department. Those exposed could experience symptoms as early as May 10 and as late as June 20.

It is recommended restaurant patrons get a hepatitis A vaccine as a precautionary measure.

Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus. It is usually spread by eating or drinking items that have been contaminated with the virus or by close personal contact with an infected person. Symptoms appear two to seven weeks after exposure and commonly include fever, a feeling of being unwell, loss of appetite, diarrhea, nausea and abdominal discomfort. Urine may become darker in color and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes) can appear.

The health department noted that some individuals, particularly children, might not develop jaundice and have an illness so mild that it goes unnoticed. However, even mildly ill people can still be highly infectious. There is no specific treatment once a person has hepatitis A, the health department said, and most people recover without complications after several weeks. People who have pre-existing liver problems can become extremely ill if they contract hepatitis A. Anyone experiencing symptoms should see a doctor.

Hepatitis A:  Marler Clark, The Food Safety Law Firm, is the nation’s leading law firm representing victims of Hepatitis A outbreaks. The Hepatitis A lawyers of Marler Clark have represented thousands of victims of Hepatitis A and other foodborne illness outbreaks and have recovered over $600 million for clients.  Marler Clark is the only law firm in the nation with a practice focused exclusively on foodborne illness litigation.  Our Hepatitis A lawyers have litigated Hepatitis A cases stemming from outbreaks traced to a variety of sources, such as green onions, lettuce and restaurant food.  The law firm has brought Hepatitis A lawsuits against such companies as Subway, McDonald’s, Chipotle, Quiznos, Chi-Chi’s and Carl’s Jr.

If you or a family member became ill with a Hepatitis A infection after consuming food and you’re interested in pursuing a legal claim, contact the Marler Clark Hepatitis A attorneys for a free case evaluation.

“While the risk to public health is low, the possibility exists that Papa Murphy’s customers may have been exposed to hepatitis A,” said SIPH in a press release.

People who ate uncooked food, such as uncooked pizza toppings or salads, at the Chubbuck Papa Murphy’s on the three specified dates and are not immunized against hepatitis A should receive the hepatitis A vaccine or immune globulin immediately, advises the health department.

While both the vaccine and immune globulin are available through most healthcare providers, SIPH will also be offering these options for people who may have been exposed to the virus.

The department will be holding vaccine clinics Friday and Saturday.

Anyone who ate at the establishment between April 6 and April 18 should contact a medical provider if they are experiencing symptoms of hepatitis A infection, including fever, loss of appetite, abdominal discomfort, jaundice, fatigue, nausea or dark urine.

We filed a recent Class Action in New York and have seen more that a few problems over the years:

• Carl’s Jr. Hepatitis A Outbreak Lawsuits – Washington (2000)
• Chi-Chi’s Hepatitis A Outbreak Lawsuits – Pennsylvania (2003)
• Chipotle Grill Hepatitis A Outbreak Lawsuits – California (2008)
• D’Angelo’s Deli Hepatitis A Outbreak Lawsuits – Massachusetts (2001)
• Friendly’s Hepatitis A Exposure Lawsuit – Massachusetts (2004)
• Houlihan’s Hepatitis A Exposure Lawsuit – Illinois (2007)
• Maple Lawn Dairy Hepatitis A Outbreak Lawsuit – New York (2004)
• McDonald’s Hepatitis A Outbreak Lawsuit – Washington (1998)
• McDonald’s Hepatitis A Outbreak Lawsuits – Illinois (2009)
• Olive Garden Hepatitis A Outbreak Lawsuit – North Carolina (2011)
• Quizno’s Hepatitis A Exposure Lawsuit – Massachusetts (2004)
• Soleil Produce Hepatitis A Outbreak Lawsuits – California (2005)
• Subway Hepatitis A Outbreak Lawsuits – Washington (1999)
• Taco Bell Hepatitis A Outbreak Lawsuits – Florida (2000)

There are at least 35 people sickened in Denmark, and another 36 sickened between Finland, Norway and Sweden. Swedish authorities say the country is experiencing ten times the normal number of Hepatitis A cases so far this year.

Most case patients reported consuming berries or smoothies around the time of exposure, but investigators have not identified a specific brand or berry origin.

This is the first foodborne Hepatitis A outbreak of nordic origin, Eurosurveillance said.

Due to Hepatitis A’s incubation range of 15 to 50 days, and the delay involved in reporting the disease, authorities expect more illnesses to surface in the coming weeks.

In addition, the Swedish Institute for Communicable Disease Control (Smittskyddsinstitutet, SMI) warned that the berries may have been responsible for 22 cases of Hepatitis A in Sweden so far. Experts from the institute advised berry lovers to take caution when consuming any berries bought in Sweden that were sold frozen. The people infected in Sweden were infected with the same type of Hepatitis that 30 people in Denmark were diagnosed with recently, which has since been traced to frozen berries and strawberries in particular.

New York Post and Daily News Interview Alta Hepatitis A Vaccine Victims.

According to news reports somewhere between 70 of the 450 exposed diners lined up for “free” vaccinations yesterday courtesy of the New York City Health Department over fears they may have been infected with the potentially deadly hepatitis A virus after eating dessert at Alta.

“As an avowed hypochondriac, this is among my worst nightmares,” said diner Rob Fishman, 27, of SoHo.

On March 26, he and his family ate at Alta, where a sick food handler in the pastry section was diagnosed with the liver disease.

“Had I known that they were potentially served with a garnish of hepatitis A, I would’ve abstained,” cracked Fishman, who said he has yet to feel any ill effects from his meal.

“I’m not holding it against them,” he added, but said it was doubtful he’d eat there again. “It’s left a bad taste in my mouth.”

Honeymoon couple Tiago Compagnoni, 34, and his wife, Joana Carneiro, 31, enjoyed a romantic evening sharedting a molten chocolate lava cake at the upscale tapas bar, located located on West 10th Street near Sixth Avenue on March 28.

“There are so many good restaurants in this city, and we picked the one that you have to get a vaccination afterwards,” Carneiro joked.

Diners who ordered dessert between March 23 and April 2 could have been exposed to the virus, which is spread when an employee with hepatitis A doesn’t wash her hands well after using the bathroom and then prepares food. The free vaccinations are available through Monday at the Chelsea Health Center on Ninth Avenue.

Any patron who ate dessert at Alta from March 23rd – April 2nd is considered at risk and is recommended to receive a preventive vaccine. The Health Department is working with the restaurant to obtain as many names as possible of people who may have been exposed and will contact each of them directly. Patrons can also call 311 for more information.

The restaurant owners, who are cooperating fully with the Health Department, estimate that about 3,000 people may have visited on these nights with about 15% having eaten dessert. No additional cases of illness have been identified.

People can visit their regular doctor to receive this shot. Pregnant women are urged to consult with their doctor to discuss whether to receive vaccine or a different preventive treatment. The Health Department will also offer free Hepatitis A vaccinations to patrons starting tomorrow at the Chelsea Health Center, 303 Ninth Avenue, 1st Floor in Manhattan at the following times:

Saturday, April 6: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Sunday, April 7: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Monday, April 8: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

The Mecklenburg County Health Department at 249 Billingsley Road will offer the following clinic hours for walk-in service:

• Wednesday, Feb. 20, from 8 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m.

• Thursday, Feb. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 3 to 6 p.m.

• Friday, Feb. 22 from 8 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m.

• Monday Feb. 25 from 8 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m.

• Tuesday Feb. 26 from 8 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m.

• Wednesday, Feb. 27 from 8 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m.

No appointment is necessary, but the vaccine must be given within 14 days of exposure. Persons who have been exposed, and/or who have questions, can call 704.336.5398 or 704.336.6436.

Residents of Cabarrus County:

The Public Health Authority of Cabarrus County/Cabarrus Health Alliance will offer the following clinic hours for walk-in service at 300 Mooresville Road in Concord:

• Wednesday, Feb. 20 from 3 to 7 p.m.

• Thursday, Feb. 21, from 3 to 7 p.m.

• Friday, Feb. 22, from 3 to 7 p.m.

No appointment is necessary. The vaccine must be given within 14 days of exposure. Persons who may have been exposed, and have questions, can call (704) 920-1213.

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The dates, times and locations of concern include:

The Hooters on February 7th or 8th, from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Whiskey Warehouse on February 6th, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., February 9th from 4:30 p.m. to 3:30 a.m., or February 13th from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The Mecklenburg County Health Department is offering the following clinic hours for walk-in service at 249 Billingsley Road:

• Wednesday, Feb. 20, from 8 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m.

• Thursday, Feb. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 3 to 6 p.m.

• Friday, Feb. 22 from 8 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m.

• Monday Feb. 25 from 8 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m.

• Tuesday Feb. 26 from 8 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m.

• Wednesday, Feb. 27 from 8 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m.

For Cabarrus County residents, the Public Health Authority and the Cabarrus Health Alliance will offer the following clinic hours for walk in service at 300 Mooresville Road in Concord:

• Wednesday, Feb. 20 from 3 to 7 p.m.

• Thursday, Feb. 21, from 3 to 7 p.m.

• Friday, Feb. 22, from 3 to 7 p.m.

If you may have been exposed and have questions, you may contact the Mecklenburg County Health Department at (704) 336-5398 or the Public Health Authority of Cabarrus County at (704) 920-1213.

Staff and children who ate breakfast at the facility at 1375 Third Ave. between Jan. 7 and Jan. 14 are at risk for contracting Hepatitis A. The illness is usually spread when someone ingests microscopic amounts of fecal matter from contact with food, drinks or objects contaminated by someone who is infected, according to the HHSA.

“The risk to the public is low, but anyone who was at the Head Start who was notified about the exposure should be aware of the signs and symptoms of Hepatitis A,” said Dr. Wilma Wooten, the county’s public health officer.

“Anyone who has been immunized with Hepatitis A vaccine or previously had the disease is considered protected from the virus, but we encourage anyone who has not had the vaccine and who may have been exposed to contact their health care provider to discuss options for prevention,” she said.