|
Tuesday, 05 September 2006 18:10 |
Three hundred ninety-two people received free immune globulin shots on Aug. 29 and last Wednesday from the Buncombe County Health Department in response to a confirmed case on Aug. 28 of hepatitis A in a restaurant worker.
The worker at Trevi Restaurant & Gourmet Market, who is no longer employed there, may have exposed more than 1,300 people to the virus, officials at the Buncombe Health Center estimated.
While
not providing immunization, the shots do help prevent or reduce
hepatitis A symptoms in people recently exposed to the virus.
Meanwhile,
Treviës management announced last Friday that the restaurant has closed
permanently because of the loss of business from the health scare ǃÓand
that bankruptcy will be filed. In addition, the eateryës employees
reportedly received no checks on last Fridayës payday.
The health center will continue to offer free shots. To be effective, a shot must be administered within two weeks of exposure.
People who dined at Treviës beween Aug. 17-25 are being advised to get the shots.
Buncombe has had
six cases of hepatitis A this year. Wide-ranging symptoms include
nausea, vomiting, fever and extreme fatigue. The problems can last for
weeks.
Immune globulin shots will be available from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. today through Friday at the Buncombe Health Center.
|
