Health authorities warn that around 2,000 7-Eleven customers in West Jordan, Utah, may have fallen sick with Hepatitis A after visiting the restroom or eating certain foods. Customers are asked to take the Hepatitis A shot.
So, if you visited the 7-Eleven store at 2666 West 7800 South call 385-468-INFO (4636) for future instructions. Authorities recommend the preventive shot to anyone that visited the said location between December 26 and January 3 if they used the restroom or consumed certain items.
Officials said fountain water and other types of self-serve drinks, fresh fruit, and any type of food from the location’s hot food case may have been contaminated with Hepatitis A.
The health department said that customers who consumed prepackaged food or bottled water were not exposed and should not contact health authorities. Consumers who had gotten their hepatitis A shot (2 doses) are also immune to the disease.
Hepatitis A Is Extremely Contagious
Authorities warn that the liver disease is extremely contagious and affects especially people with weak immune systems. Its symptoms can last from a few weeks to a few months, but it often goes unnoticed. In some rare cases, it can be deadly.
Contamination happens when a person consumes foods or drinks that were exposed to the hepatitis A virus. The virus lands on foods, objects or drinks after a sick person has touched them without washing their hands after using the restroom.
If you think you have been infected, you can dial 385-468-INFO (4636). An operator will assist you every day from 8:00 a.m. to 5 a.m. Every caller’s exposure risk will be assessed to establish the available preventive options.
The preventive shot needs to be taken within a short time frame from exposure in order to have effect. So, it is critical to call the department immediately after the exposure.
Image Source: Wikimedia
