Community News

Health Dep’t warns of hepatitis A exposure in N. Merrick

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After a food handler tested positive for hepatitis A at Park Delicatessen, at 1420 Park Ave. in North Merrick, the Nassau County Department of Health began an investigation earlier this week.

Patrons who consumed foods prepared on site between Aug. 2 to 5, Aug. 9 to 11, Aug. 16 to 18 and Aug. 20 may have been exposed to Hepatitis A.

The deli owner told NBC 4 that he takes the advisory seriously and assured the community that he would take precautions by making sure the rest of his staff is immunized.

Since the recommendation for immunization against Hepatitis A is within two weeks of exposure to a person who has been infected, patrons are advised to look out for symptoms, including a mild to severe fever, poor appetite, nausea, stomach pain, dark-colored urine and jaundice (a yellow coloring of the skin and whites of the eyes). Hepatitis A is rarely fatal, and most people recover in a few weeks without any complications. The symptoms commonly appear within 28 days of exposure, with a range of 12 to 50 days.

Although there are no special antibiotics or medicines used to treat a person with hepatitis A, bed rest is strongly recommended. Thorough hand washing after bathroom use is strongly advised to combat the spread of the virus, along with washing hands before and after food preparation.

For more information on the case, contact the Nassau County Department of Health at (516) 227-9639.