A confirmed case of Hepatitis A has been reported in Milwaukee, linked to an employee at Beans & Barley, a restaurant on the city's East Side. The employee, who has been cooperating with public health officials, took the required precautions to prevent further spread of the virus after symptoms appeared, according to the City of Milwaukee Health Department.
Beans & Barley was the employee's workplace while they were infectious, spanning from October 31 to November 13. The risk to patrons is believed to be low, and the restaurant remains open. However, in response to the incident, City of Milwaukee Health Department is offering vaccinations for those potentially exposed during the specified dates. To bolster community safety, an emergency vaccination clinic will be held on Monday, at the Northwest Health Center,
The City of Milwaukee Health Department recommends the Hepatitis A vaccine to individuals who might have consumed food from the restaurant during the period the employee was infectious or to employees who worked alongside the patient between the given dates. The advisory includes a reminder that the vaccine or immune globulin is most effective when administered within two weeks of exposure. Symptoms to watch for include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, and jaundice, among others.
"Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable disease, and vaccination is the best protection against it," Milwaukee Commissioner of Health, Mike Totoraitis, PhD, said, "While the risk with this situation is low, we are still taking this situation seriously and acting swiftly to prevent further spread," as per the City of Milwaukee Health Department. Totoraitis highlighted the importance of handwashing, avoiding food handling when unwell, and avoiding close contact with anyone infected if unvaccinated. Persons concerned about their immunization status are advised to consult the Wisconsin Immunization Registry or their healthcare provider for assistance.
