Officials Investigate Single Hepatitis A Case In Parke County

image002-2

ROCKVILLE, Ind ―Parke County health officials have investigated a case of hepatitis A in a food worker and have determined that the risk of infection is very low for patrons who visited Deno’s Concession food truck at the Parke County Covered Bridge Festival in Bridgeton.

Although additional cases are unlikely to occur, officials say that the food truck operator is working with them to prevent any new cases from arising in the community as a result of this case.

The food truck was only in operation at the Parke County Covered Bridge Festival from Oct. 16-20, and an initial assessment did not find any critical health violations.  Deno’s was located near the mill and bridge and they served different fried foods. The food truck is based out of Knox County.

Hepatitis A is usually transmitted person-to-person through fecal-oral routes or by consuming contaminated food or water. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies those most at risk during this outbreak as people who use illicit drugs, the homeless, men who have sex with men and those who are incarcerated.

Anyone who is exhibiting symptoms of hepatitis A should contact a healthcare provider immediately and refrain from preparing food for others. Symptoms can include fatigue, loss of appetite, stomach pain, nausea and jaundice, which usually appear within two months of infection. Individuals can become ill 15 to 50 days after being exposed to the virus. A doctor can determine if someone has hepatitis A with a blood test.