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It's always scary to learn about these things.
The Detroit Health Department it is investigating two cases of Hepatitis A in connection to the prepared foods section at Whole Foods Market in Detroit at 115 Mack Ave.
One case was diagnosed in an employee who handles prepared food at the store and another involved a Detroit resident who ate at the prepared foods section, the city agency says in a Thursday statement.
“While it remains unclear exactly how either of these individuals contracted Hepatitis A, and we know that Whole Foods Market Detroit has a comprehensive food safety protocol, we want to do our best to protect our residents and those of surrounding communities who may have been exposed. Whole Foods has been nothing but cooperative throughout this process.” says Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, executive director at the department.
The statement adds:
Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that results from infection with the Hepatitis A virus. It is usually spread when a person ingests contaminated food or drink. Symptoms include fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal, yellow eyes and skin, as well as dark urine. Many people who have Hepatitis A may not have symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they can range in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a severe illness lasting several months. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek medical attention immediately. In over 99% of cases the body clears the disease without any long term consequences.
The health department is unsure what caused the cases. "Given the theoretical risk that the second case may have contracted the disease from the food handler, the Detroit Health Department is recommending that anyone who may have consumed prepared foods at Whole Foods Detroit between Oct. 6 and Oct. 12 speak to a physician and seek preventive treatment."
The recommended preventive treatment is a vaccine that is given once and helps to prevent people who have been exposed to Hepatitis A from developing the disease, the agency says.
Besides recommending contacting a physician, the health department said it will be offering evaluation and possible preventive treatment at both of its clinics, located at The Samaritan Center, 5555 Conner Street, and The Family Place, 8726 Woodward Avenue. Clinics will be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.
The Detroit Health Department has provided preventive care for Whole Foods staffers and is watching for additional cases.
