Hepatitis A Outbreak: Papa John's Pizza in Charlotte Linked to Virus

Earlier this week, a local Papa John's Pizza employee was diagnosed with hepatitis A. Now, the Mecklenburg County Health Department is holding a vaccination clinic after fears rose about the potential for the virus's spread, according to Q City Metro.

Officials stated that the Papa John's employee became sick on March 24. Yet he wasn't diagnosed until Monday, after he had been hospitalized, according to The Tribune. This means that customers who ate at the restaurant may have been exposed to the virus.

The restaurant itself is located in the 8000 block of Cambridge Commons Drive in Charlotte, according to WLTX. Officials have stated that anyone who ate food at that restaurant between March 24 and April 7 may have been exposed.

According to the CDC, Hepatitis A is a liver disease that results from an infection from the Hepatitis A virus. This virus is spread by close contact or by consuming contaminated food and water. Symptoms are flu-like, and may show up as gastrointestinal issues such as dark urine, diarrhea, severe stomach pains and jaundice.

Officials are currently offering free vaccines from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the Mecklenburg County Health Department, according to The Tribune. Another clinic is planned for Saturday.

The restaurant is currently open for business after having undergone extensive sanitation and cleaning. If you ate at the restaurant and experience symptoms, officials recommend that you seek out a health care provider immediately.

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