READ: Hepatitis A confirmed in restaurant employee in Clark, Champaign counties
The employee worked at the 1228 Scioto St. restaurant in Urbana and the 1830 Bechtle Ave. location in Springfield.
Health officials said the risk of transmission to patrons is extremely low due to safe food handling procedures being in place.
“We have fully cooperated with health department authorities, and appreciate their ongoing work in addressing this nationwide issue,” said a Frisch’s spokesperson. “The well-being of our guests and team members remains our paramount concern.”
The new case is one of many found in Clark and Champaign counties and throughout Ohio in recent months. The Ohio Department of Health declared a statewide outbreak of hepatitis A in June.
Since March 25, Clark County has investigated 59 cases, with 42 linked to the statewide outbreak. Two people have died from hep A since 2018 and before 2018, only one case was reported in the county since 2011.
Thirty of the 59 cases were investigated last year and so far this year, there have been 29 cases confirmed, according to the health district. There have been 10 cases recorded so far this month.
And there will likely be more, the health district warned.
“I don’t see an end point in sight,” Petroff said. “I think cases are continuing to rise. We are getting almost a new case every day so I don’t see it ending anytime soon.”
READ: Flu cases in Clark County still rising
Champaign County has investigated nine cases, with six linked to the statewide outbreak.
“This case of hepatitis A just highlights the fact that the state is still in an active outbreak,” said Christina Conover, nursing director at Clark County Combined Health District. “Proper handwashing and vaccination are the most effective strategies to combat this virus.”
Hepatitis A is spread by ingesting fecal matter from an infected individual. Symptoms include fatigue, low appetite, stomach pains, nausea, clay-colored stool and yellowish coloring to the skin and eyes.
There is no specific cure for hepatitis A, Petroff said, but typically a healthy person can fight off the virus by him or herself. However, this particular outbreak has caused many to have to spend time in the hospital.
“Typically, with hep A you will see a 30 percent hospitalization rate, but in this outbreak, we are seeing statewide a hospitalization rate closer to 60 percent,” she said. “A lot of people are needing to go to the hospital for this illness. There is no specific treatment besides fluids and rest.”
The CDC recommends anyone 12 months or older to be vaccinated for hepatitis A. Anyone interested in the vaccine should contact their health provider.
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