LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) — Customers who have eaten at the Corning, Arkansas Taco Bell location are being warned that they may have been exposed to Hepatitis A, according to the Arkansas Department of Health.
The Department of Health specified that customers who dined at the restaurant between Jan. 24 and Feb. 7 are at risk after a Taco Bell employee tested positive for the virus. Anyone with symptoms should see a doctor immediately.
The press release said:
Typical symptoms of Hep A include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, clay-colored bowel movements, joint pain or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). Hep A is a contagious liver disease that results from infection with the Hepatitis A virus. It can range in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a severe illness lasting several months. A person can transmit the virus to others up to two weeks before and one week after symptoms appear.
Additionally, people without symptoms who have eaten at Taco Bell in Corning between Feb. 1-7 that meet the following criteria should seek medical attention.
- Under one year of age are too young to be vaccinated and may wish to seek out immune globulin from a health care provider.
- Between one year to 40 years of age and have never been vaccinated for Hep A may wish to seek out vaccination from a health care provider. Those who are pregnant, have a chronic illness or liver disease are especially encouraged to consult with their doctor.
- 41 years old and older and have never been vaccinated for Hep A may wish to seek out immune globulin. Vaccination is not known to be effective in this group post-exposure.
The Clay County Health Unit will have immune globulin and the Hep A vaccine to administer to those who fear they may have been exposed to the virus. The public can begin visiting the unit for these treatments on or after Feb. 15. The health unit is at 1009 S. Garfield Ave. in Piggott, Ark.
The virus can lie dormant in an infected person for seven weeks after exposure before illness occurs. Ingestion of fecal matter is the most common cause of Hepatitis A infection. Many people will show no symptoms. This is especially true of children. Symptoms are more severe for older people. Almost all people recover fully from the virus and have no lasting liver damage, but may feel sick for months, according to the Department of Health.
If you are in one of these at-risk groups, call 870-598-3390 to make an appointment.