Only 7 immunized after Hepatitis A case tied to Cabarrus County Waffle House

CONCORD, N.C. — Health officials said dozens of people were potentially exposed after a case of Hepatitis A was tied to a worker at a Cabarrus County Waffle House.

The employee works at the restaurant on Vinehaven Drive in Concord.

The Cabarrus Health Alliance said a possible exposure may have happened for people that bought or ate food on June 20 between 9 p.m. and 12 a.m., or June 21 between 12 a.m. and 7 a.m.

Health officials told Channel 9 that an estimated 40 people were exposed, but only seven people have been immunized since the incident.

“We do not have an exact number of people exposed, but we do know it was a slow night (staff’s perspective) and total sales were a little over $400. We estimate that each patron maybe spent $10, so we are looking at possibly 40 people exposed. Again that is just our estimate,” according to CHA.

Hepatitis A is a virus that affects the liver. The signs are fatigue, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, fever and possible jaundice.

The virus spreads when someone unknowingly ingested the virus through contact with an infected person or through eating contaminated food or drink.

If someone believed they purchased or ate food during the time period, they had to get a Hepatitis A vaccine by Monday. Health officials said if someone already had the vaccine, then they were protected from the virus and didn’t need to take additional action.

Cabarrus Health Alliance held a Hepatitis A vaccination clinic in Kannapolis on July 3 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

CHA said there aren’t any additional next steps, but officials encourage people to be immunized, so if someone would like to make an appointment they can call a clinic at 704-920-1205.

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