University Health Services (UHS) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison notified approximately 4,000 students and staff on Friday about a potential hepatitis A exposure linked to Rheta’s Market, a campus dining facility, according to dailycardinal.com.
The alert was issued after a student employee at Rheta’s Market tested positive for hepatitis A. The student was reportedly infectious while working at the facility, which led the university to contact anyone who may have visited the dining hall during the exposure period.
The school’s Environment, Health and Safety team conducted a thorough cleaning of Rheta’s Market, which has since been cleared to reopen and resume normal operations.
UHS Director Jack Baggott said that the affected student would not return to work until medically cleared. He also said that the university’s response follows standard protocols and is intended to address potential exposures as a precautionary measure.
Hepatitis A is a liver infection transmitted through the fecal-oral route when contaminated material enters the mouth. This typically occurs through improper hand hygiene after restroom use or through contaminated food and water. The virus is more prevalent in regions with inadequate sanitation, with North American cases often linked to imported produce and returning travelers.
Unlike hepatitis B and C variants, this strain does not spread through blood contact or develop into chronic infections. Prevention strategies focus on vaccination, particularly before international travel, and maintaining proper hand hygiene, especially after restroom use and before food preparation or consumption.
Symptoms typically manifest between 15 and 50 days after exposure, though some individuals may remain asymptomatic. Symptoms may include: fever, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal pain, general malaise, jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes), pale stools, and dark urine.
Adults typically show more pronounced symptoms than children. The illness generally persists for several weeks, occasionally extending beyond two months.
Medical professionals note that while no specific treatment exists for hepatitis A, most patients recover naturally. In rare instances, the infection may cause severe liver complications. Recovery from hepatitis A provides lifelong immunity.
UHS is offering guidance to individuals who may have been exposed and has made 24/7 medical advice available throughout the weekend.
Commenting on this article, the nation’s leading hepatitis A lawyer said, “I strongly encourage anyone who believes they were exposed to contact their medical provider immediately. Vaccination is the most effective way to protect oneself from infection.”
