Hepatitis A Emergency at a ShopRite, Thousands of Vaccines Administered
The Somerset County Department of Health has now administered an estimated two thousand vaccines after an employee, who is tasked with handling food at a New Jersey ShopRite, tested positive for Hepatitis A. The patient with Hepatitis A is employed at the ShopRite in Somerville, New Jersey and was reported to have come in contact with food in the grocery store. In response to this information, the county health department offered free Hepatitis A vaccinations to the public. Approximately two thousand civilians received the vaccine at local health clinics over the course of three days the first week of November.
Local officials urge anyone that is still concerned of possible exposure to Hepatitis A from patronage at the ShopRite in Somerville, New Jersey to take the vaccine to prevent Hepatitis A. Hepatitis A is a virus that is typically spread through direct contact or by ingesting food that has been infected. Hepatitis A is a liver infection that typically mimics flu-like symptoms such as a low-grade fever, nausea, vomiting, extreme fatigue and body aches. Symptoms usually do not present until two weeks after contact with the virus. Several days after showing signs of illness, symptoms progress to compromised liver function which will manifest as dark colored urine, pain in the upper right part of the abdomen and jaundice (yellowing) of the eyes and skin. Treatment by a heath professional is necessary as is receiving the vaccine promptly if infected with the virus.
