Largest Hepatitis Outbreak in State History
Tuesday November 4, 2003
Health officials issued an alert yesterday, warning the estimated 11,000 customers who ate at the Beaver Valley Mall Chi-Chi's between October 22nd and November 2nd
that they may have been exposed to Hepatitis A, and should get immunized as a precaution.
If you think you may have been exposed, you can go to the Beaver County Community College this Wednesday, Thursday and Friday between 8am and 7pm to get immunized. A free clinic will be set up under the Dome at the school. The immune globulin only is useful if given within 14 days after exposure. People who ate at the restaurant before Oct. 22 will not benefit from immune globulin, but should remain alert to the development of Hepatitis A.
People who develop Hepatitis A almost always recover from the illness without further complications. People may experience a range of symptoms, including fever, tiredness, weakness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and jaundice and a yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes. The disease may appear suddenly and last from one to several weeks. People who develop jaundice from Hepatitis A are typically infectious for two weeks before and one week after jaundice begins. If you ate at the Beaver Valley Chi Chi's during the month of October and are experiencing these symptoms or who feel you are at risk, contact your family physician.
Related Resources:
CDC - Viral Hepatitis A
Pennsylvania Department of Health
If you think you may have been exposed, you can go to the Beaver County Community College this Wednesday, Thursday and Friday between 8am and 7pm to get immunized. A free clinic will be set up under the Dome at the school. The immune globulin only is useful if given within 14 days after exposure. People who ate at the restaurant before Oct. 22 will not benefit from immune globulin, but should remain alert to the development of Hepatitis A.
People who develop Hepatitis A almost always recover from the illness without further complications. People may experience a range of symptoms, including fever, tiredness, weakness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and jaundice and a yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes. The disease may appear suddenly and last from one to several weeks. People who develop jaundice from Hepatitis A are typically infectious for two weeks before and one week after jaundice begins. If you ate at the Beaver Valley Chi Chi's during the month of October and are experiencing these symptoms or who feel you are at risk, contact your family physician.
Related Resources:
CDC - Viral Hepatitis A
Pennsylvania Department of Health
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