Hepatitis A Exposure at Food Demonstration Held at Ace Hardware of Rome

ROME, N.Y. — The Oneida County Health Department was notified of a Hepatitis A exposure in Rome.

The person who tested positive for Hepatitis A prepared and cooked food during a food demonstration at Ace Hardware on Black River Boulevard while infectious.

Individuals who ate this food may have been exposed, according to the health department.

“The Health Department is alerting those who sampled food at the store of the potential exposure,” a release from the health organization stated. “The Hepatitis vaccine is effective if given within two weeks (14 days) of exposure. For those who consumed the food on Saturday, June 8, you must receive preventive treatment by Saturday, June 22.”

Those who ate on Saturday, June 1 are no longer eligible for the vaccine but should monitor for symptoms.

OCHD listed these as symptoms that typically appear within 28 days of exposure, with a range of 15 to 50 days, via the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

• Yellow skin or eyes
• Lack of appetite
• Upset stomach
• Stomach pain
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Dark urine or light-colored stools
• Joint pain
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue

“Hepatitis A is transmitted by consuming food or drinks or by using utensils that have been handled by an infected person. It may also be spread from person to person by ingesting something that has been contaminated by the infected person. Casual contact, such as sitting together, does not spread the virus. If you have any of these symptoms, please contact your doctor or the Oneida County Health Department,” OCHD stated.

Ace Hardware of Rome was informed of the potential Hepatitis A exposure. They are cooperating with OCHD.

“Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable disease,” said Daniel W. Gilmore, Ph.D. MPH, Director of Health. “If you’ve been exposed and not yet vaccinated, please do so to protect yourself.”