Hep A vaccine urged for Burger King customers

Published 7:36 pm Monday, January 7, 2019

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The Boyle County Health Department urges anyone who ate at Burger King recently to get a hepatitis A vaccine.

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Public Health Director Blent Blevins confirmed an employee of the fast food restaurant in Danville was diagnosed with the viral liver infection.

“We’re urging anyone who ate there between Dec. 12, 2018, and Jan. 1, 2019, to get the vaccine as a precaution,” Blevins said. He said Kentucky has had a statewide hepatitis A outbreak going on, and several cases have been reported in Boyle County.

But “there’s no indication it was from the restaurant or any kind of food-related item,” Blevins said.

He said there is minimal risk of contracting hepatitis A from the restaurant, and none of the cases from the ongoing, statewide outbreak have been linked to any food establishments.

Blevins said Burger King released a statement indicating its Danville location was thoroughly sanitized and the hepatitis A vaccine is now required as a condition of employment.

Symptoms of hepatitis A can mimic the flu and, in rare cases, cause liver failure and death. The virus is spread through improper handwashing and close, personal contact.

Blevins said currently, there have been over 2,900 hepatitis A cases confirmed in Kentucky.