For the second time in less than a month, health officials have confirmed a case of Hepatitis A in a restaurant worker in Seneca County.
The latest case is linked to an employee at Mark's Pizzeria at Kingdom Plaza in Waterloo. Earlier in November, a Waterloo McDonald's worker tested positive for the illness.
Seneca County health director Vicki Swinehart says it's unusual to see two cases of Hepatitis A in such a short period of time.
"There was contact between these two individuals, and I think that's why we have the two cases. Hepatitis A is not a very common disease, but our concern is because the individual was a food service worker, the exposure was higher, and we need to be concerned with the general public."
The Seneca County Health Department says anyone who ate cold foods from Mark's Pizzeria in Waterloo between November 13 and 18 is advised to watch for symptoms including fatigue, low grade fever, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
If you consumed cold foods from that restaurant between November 19 and November 28, and were not previously immunized against Hepatitis A, health officials say you should seek treatment at a series of clinics this month.
"People age 40 and over or people who are immune-compromised, or have a severe medical condition would get immunoglobulin, which is effective for about three months and gives you an immediate response. Anybody under age 40 but older than a year would get the Hepatitis A vaccine, which would give you lifelong immunity." Swinehart said.
More information is also available from the New York State Department of Health Hotline at 1-844-364-6397.
