Hepatitis A Vaccinations Coming To Hamilton, N.J. After Restaurant Outbreak
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A Hepatitis A vaccination clinic has been set up in Hamilton Township, New Jersey, following an outbreak at a restaurant.
Hamilton Township Mayor Kelly A. Yaede on Tuesday announced the vaccination campaign, after a kitchen worker tested positive for Hepatitis A at Rosa's Restaurant and Catering, at 3442 S. Broad St. in Hamilton Township.
"Anyone who ate at the establishment, received take out, received catering from that establishment certainly had a possibility of being at risk," Hamilton Township Public Health Officer Jeff Plunkett told Cleve Bryan of KYW-TV, CBS3 Philadelphia.
The clinic will be open from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Colonial Volunteer Fire Company, at 801 Kuser Rd. in Hamiton. It is only open to Hamilton residents, and ID is required for proof of residency.
Anyone who ate food at or from Rosa's between Nov. 10 and Dec. 1, and who has not been previously vaccinated for Hepatitis A, is urged to take part, officials said.
Anyone one year old or over may receive a vaccination. Those 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
The vaccinations will cost $35.
Hepatitis A is the least severe type of hepatitis causing nausea, headaches and diarrhea, but it is rarely fatal, CBS Philly reported.
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It is, however, highly contagious, and exposure in a restaurant can lead to an outbreak.
"It's clearly on food and that makes this case so significant because he was a food handler and the amount of people who went through the facility," Plunkett said.
In Hamilton Township, there was also a risk to nearby students, because Rosa's provides lunch to St. Raphael's preschool to eighth grade Catholic School.
Health officials believe most of the students are covered by standard vaccinations, but a public health nurse was at the school Tuesday to identify students who need vaccines and to educate parents.
Rosa's had to close Monday night while they sanitized the building and threw out all the unfrozen food products.
All of the employees have to be vaccinated.
"Rosa has a very good, outstanding reputation in the area and we want to keep it that way. This is an unforeseen thing unfortunately," Donna Severino, a part-time employee, told CBS Philly.
For more on the vaccination program, residents can also contact the Hamilton Township Division of Health at 609-890-3884 for questions or additional information.
For more information from Hamilton Township you can visit http://www.hamiltonnj.com/ and to learn more about hepatitis A visit http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/a/aFAQ.htm#overview
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