The Erie County Health Department has confirmed a case of hepatitis A virus in a Buffalo restaurant worker. The worker is a food handler at Ang's Family Restauant at 1501 Clinton Street. The health department was notified of the handler's diagnosis on Monday and began an immediate investigation.
Anyone who ate or drank at Ang's between Tuesday, Sept. 24 and Friday, Sept. 27 is advised to get a hepatitis A vaccine at a clinic being held at the restaurant Wednesday, Oct. 9 from 7:30 to 10 a.m. The health department says the vaccine will prevent potentially exposed individuals from developing an infection.
Patrons who ate at the restaurant from Sept. 12 to Sept. 23 are advised to monitor their health for symptoms such as fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and loss of appetite, and contact a medical professional if they believe they may have been exposed. A post-exposure vaccine would not be effective for those customers, at this point.
This is the third case of hepatitis A in a Buffalo restaurant worker this year and the 32nd overall. That matches the number of cases in all of 2018. Erie County Health Commissioner Dr. Gale Burstein says in the three prior years, the department only saw between two and four new cases each year.
Hepatitis A is a highly-contagious liver disease that can cause illnesses that range from mild to severe, rarely resulting in death.
