The Philadelphia Department of Public Health is investigating a confirmed case of hepatitis A virus infection in a ShopRite employee in Northeast Philadelphia.
Officials said the employee was infected while working at the ShopRite at 6301 Oxford Street.
The Ministry of Health recommends that anyone who handled raw beef or pork between January 4th and January 21st, or who ate undercooked beef or pork purchased in the meat section of a store, be advised to We recommend that you receive the hepatitis A vaccine.
If you have previously received two doses of the hepatitis A vaccine or have had hepatitis A in the past, health officials say you do not need to get vaccinated.
Health officials said no new cases were reported and no other stores were affected.
Officials said any frozen beef or pork purchased during the above period should be discarded as a precautionary measure. Additionally, heating foods and liquids to a temperature of 185°F (85°C) for at least 1 minute can kill viruses. Exposure to freezing temperatures does not kill the virus.
The Health Department will be offering free hepatitis A vaccines on Saturday, Jan. 27 from 8 a.m. to noon at the District Health Center, 2230 Cottman Avenue. You can also contact your health care provider or visit a pharmacy to receive his hepatitis A vaccine.
If you develop symptoms of hepatitis A, the health department says you should contact your doctor immediately.
If you need assistance, please contact the Health Department at 215-685-5488, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Hepatitis A is an infection of the liver. Infection can spread if a person with hepatitis A prepares food without washing their hands thoroughly after using the toilet.
People infected with the hepatitis A virus can spread the virus to others for 2 weeks before symptoms of a liver infection appear and for 1 week after symptoms appear.
People infected with hepatitis A usually develop symptoms 2 to 6 weeks after exposure to the virus. Illnesses range from mild symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting to more severe symptoms of jaundice. Other symptoms include fever, lethargy, abdominal pain, and dark urine.