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Scott County reports hepatitis case

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By Times staff | Wednesday, August 20, 2008 |

A worker at a Davenport McDonalds has been diagnosed with the infectious Hepatitis A, but health department officials do not believe customers are at risk.

A news release from the Scott County Health Department indicates that the food handler and the restaurant were investigated, and the Iowa Department of Public Health was consulted.

“It is highly unlikely that the restaurant’s patrons were exposed to the infection, and patrons of the restaurant need no further evaluation or preventive therapy,” the news release states.

Louis M. Katz, medical director for the Scott County Health Department, added, “McDonalds’ management has been very cooperative with the Health Department’s investigation. They are to be commended for their commitment to safe food handling practices and monitoring of their employees’ compliance.”

The case at the McDonalds on Northwest Boulevard is the third report of Hepatitis A in Scott County this year, health department officials said. The agency provided the following information:

The virus causes liver infection, and the first symptoms are fever, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, tiredness, and occasionally diarrhea. These symptoms may be followed in a few days by dark (“tea-colored”) urine and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes). Serious illness is rare, and infected persons usually feel better after one to two weeks.

The virus is found in the feces, or stool, of infected persons. It is spread by direct contact with infectious patients or by ingestion of food or water contaminated by the feces of an infected person. The spread of Hepatitis A can be prevented by always washing hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after using the toilet.

If you have any questions or concerns, call the Scott County Health Department at (563) 326-8618. More information can be found on the department’s Web site at scottcountyiowa.com/health.