Hepatitis A Risk? Deadly Exposure from Popular US Restaurant

United States: The Milwaukee Health Department decided to offer hepatitis A vaccination shots at an emergency vac clinic Monday afternoon to those who may have been exposed to the virus through Beans & Barley restaurant in Milwaukee’s east side.

More about the news

Those who may have consumed food at Beans & Barley from October 31 up to November 13th may have been affected by the hepatitis A virus, which is known to cause liver illness and spreads through contaminated food and water, a department news release stated.

A hepatitis A positive employee at Beans & Barley 1901 E. North Ave. was infectious at work on or after October 31 but before November 13, the release states.

Therefore, the health department is offering a vaccine clinic today from 1 PM to 4 PM at Northwest Health Center at 7630 W Mill Road for anyone who may have been exposed.

The vaccine can be effective and prevent illness when given within two weeks of exposure to the hepatitis A virus, Yahoo News reported.

What more are the experts stating?

From the health department data, most patients suffering from hepatitis A regain their health in two months, but advanced cases of this sickness present many complications, and serious sickness can persist for a long time, or complications may arise if the sufferer has a prior liver illness.

Public health officials stress that with respect to Beans & Barley, there appears to be no danger of salmonella to persons who consumed food prepared by or purchased from Beans & Barley that does not originate from October 31 to November 13.

In another development, Beans & Barley has been allowed to continue serving the public as a safe restaurant, the Health Department said.

Officials of the department are also in touch with this restaurant in order to identify and inform people who may have been exposed.

Health officials suggest people exposed to the virus receive the vaccine or immune globulin within 14 days of exposure and look for signs such as fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, and jaundice.