Purple Inn in Provincetown linked to Hepatitis A

The Massachusetts Division of Public Well being (DPH), Barnstable County Division of Well being and Setting, and the Provincetown Board of Well being are alerting anybody who dined at The Purple Inn at 15 Business Avenue in Provincetown between April 30 and Might 15 that they might have been uncovered to hepatitis A and may contact their healthcare supplier.

A meals service worker of the restaurant who labored throughout these dates has a confirmed an infection with hepatitis A virus. Clients who may have been uncovered to the virus are being suggested to contact their well being care supplier and obtain acceptable medical remedy for a potential publicity to hepatitis A. Preventive measures reminiscent of hepatitis A vaccine and hepatitis A immune globulin are typically solely efficient at stopping hepatitis A an infection if given inside two weeks of publicity, previous to symptom onset.

The early indicators and signs of hepatitis A are fever, fatigue, lack of urge for food, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and jaundice (darkish urine, yellowing of the pores and skin or the whites of the eyes). The sickness varies in severity, with gentle circumstances lasting two weeks or much less and extra extreme circumstances lasting 4 to 6 weeks or longer. Some people, particularly youngsters, might not develop jaundice and will have an sickness so gentle that it may possibly go unnoticed. Nevertheless, even mildly sick individuals can nonetheless be extremely infectious. Individuals with sickness suggestive of hepatitis ought to seek the advice of a well being care supplier even when signs are gentle.

Hepatitis A virus is unfold because of fecal contamination (fecal-oral route) and could also be unfold from person-to-person by shut contact or by meals dealing with. The virus may be unfold by contaminated meals and drinks.

Clients who dined at The Purple Inn between April 30 and Might 15 are urged to be notably thorough in handwashing after toileting and previous to meals preparation to keep away from any potential additional unfold of illness. Handwashing ought to embody vigorous soaping of the arms, together with the again of the arms, wrists, between fingers and below fingernails. Palms must be totally rinsed.

Hepatitis A vaccine has been advisable as a part of childhood immunizations since 1991, so individuals 34 years and youthful might have been beforehand vaccinated. Those that dined on the restaurant between April 30 and Might 15 are urged to substantiate their vaccination standing with their supplier.