Everyone who ate at Marj’s Village Kitchen in Alma earlier this month should get a hepatitis A vaccination as soon as possible, public health authorities warn.
According to Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health, an employee of the restaurant has been confirmed as having hepatitis A.
Believed to be at risk of infection is anyone who ate at the restaurant between Jan. 2 and Jan. 20.
A free vaccine was held Thursday afternoon at the authority’s Fergus office, on Wellington Road 18, and was very well attended.
A second clinic will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, and a third on Saturday.
“The risk of exposure is low, but anyone who ate at this restaurant in the first half of January should get a vaccination as a precaution,” Dr. Nicole Mercer, the area’s medical officer of health, said in a press release.
The risk of infection only applies to customers who ate in the restaurant – not ones who only bought goods from the bakery.
Health officials say the risk is higher for anyone who ate menu items with uncooked vegetables or other raw food inside.
Hepatitis A can cause symptoms lasting from a few weeks to several months, developing anywhere from 15 to 50 days after infection.
Common symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, dark urine and yellowing of the skin.
Anyone seeking more information is asked to call 1-800-265-7293.
The restaurant itself was inspected by public health officials Thursday. It passed.
