Patrons possibly exposed to HAV in Missouri restaurant

Missouri health officials warned that patrons of a local restaurant may have been exposed to hepatitis A after it was discovered that an employee recently diagnosed with the virus may have been working there while still contagious.

The Springfield-Greene County health department is recommending that customers who ate at the Red Robin restaurant, located at 3720 Glenstone Ave. in Springfield, Mo., between May 8 and May 16 should contact their health care provider.

In addition, health officials today have set up a vaccination clinic for those who are unvaccinated. An area hospital is also providing vaccinations.

A similar incident occurred in February at a Hilton Head, S.C., restaurant, after a food worker there tested positive for the infection.

Foodborne transmission is one of the most common sources for contracting HAV. According to the CDC, the infection has an incubation period of approximately 28 days, and a vaccine must be administered within the first 2 weeks after exposure to be effective.

A hotline has been set up for people if they have questions regarding the health threat in Missouri: 417-829-6200.