Media Release

For Immediate Release
Date: January 25, 2007

Health Department Surveillance System Identifies Case of Hepatitis A; Department Acts Quickly to Respond and Determines no Risk to the Public

Hepatitis A - Frequently Asked Questions January 26, 2007

On January 24, the Health Department was notified of a confirmed case of Hepatitis A in a restaurant employee of The Cheesecake Factory in Providence and the Texas Roadhouse in Cranston. In order to ensure the safety of other employees, the Department of Health, in consulting with the CDC, decided to dispense preventive immune globulin (antibody) shots to the employee's co-workers over the next few days to prevent any of them from contracting the illness. Because the worker was not a food handler, there is no need for preventive measures for the public or people who dined at the restaurants. However, the Department wants the public to know what it is doing to respond to the incident. The worker is currently receiving medical treatment and is recovering. Both The Cheesecake Factory and Texas Roadhouse are cooperating fully with the Health Department in facilitating the shots for employees and continuing to monitor for and ensure safe food handling practices. Both establishments are safe and open for business.

Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by a virus. Hepatitis A is uncommon in Rhode Island, with approximately 25 cases a year reported. Most people who get it recover in a few weeks. Once you recover, you cannot contract the disease again. There are no long-term effects from the infection. Symptoms include jaundice (yellow skin), abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea, fever, and fatigue. The disease is spread when people do not wash their hands well after going to the bathroom. The germs on their hands can spread to other people and cause infection. Good personal hygiene (proper and frequent handwashing) and proper sanitation are the best ways to prevent Hepatitis A.

Hepatitis A is a reportable disease, and therefore part of the Health Department's disease surveillance system. "This is a good example of how the Department of Health works to protect the public's health and keep the public informed," said Director of Health, David R. Gifford, MD, MPH. "This case also reinforces the importance of good hygiene and handwashing practices."

For more information about Hepatitis A, visit the Department of Health website at www.health.ri.gov/topics/hepa.php or call The Cheesecake Factory at 1-800-328-7761.