Philadelphia Health Department warning about possible Hepatitis A exposure at ShopRite

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The Philadelphia Department of Public Health is warning residents about potential Hepatitis A exposure.

An individual worked while infected at the ShopRite located at 6301 Oxford Avenue from January 4 to January 21.

"There was an individual with active Hepatitis A who was working at the store when they may have been contagious," explained Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Cheryl Bettigole.

Officials recommend that people who handled raw beef or pork or ate undercooked beef or pork during that time receive a Hepatitis A vaccine.

Bettigole also said anyone who purchased the meat should throw it out.

"Hepatitis A is killed by cooking and heating to a temperature of 185 or more for at least a minute. It is not killed by freezing," she said.

So far, there are no reports of anyone else falling ill. Some people around the city are just now learning about the exposure.

"I just heard about it when I was at the lunch meat counter," said Rosemarie Klein from Lawndale.

"I should go home and empty my freezer," she added.

Like many others, Klein likes ShopRite because of its convenience and good prices.

Some residents are saying they will practice safe cooking precautions, which health officials say is crucial.

"We do take care of our meat, we wash it and stuff like that but still terrifying," said shopper Khalif Edwards.

The health department offered free Hepatitis A vaccines on Saturday, January 27 at District Health Center #10 located at 2230 Cottman Ave.

Officials say 61 people were vaccinated at the center. They will continue to offer access to the Hepatitis A vaccine.

"It's at Health Centers 3, 4, and 5, (from) 10 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The Hepatitis A vaccine is very safe and very effective. Most kids have been vaccinated since the year 2000, most adults have not," said Bettigole.

People can also contact their healthcare provider's office or visit a pharmacy to receive vaccine.

What are the symptoms?

Hepatitis A is an infection of the liver. It can spread when a person who has Hepatitis A does not wash their hands very thoroughly after using the bathroom and then prepares food.

A person with Hepatitis A virus can spread the virus to others for two weeks before they have symptoms of liver infection through one week after these symptoms start.

People infected with Hepatitis A usually develop symptoms two to six weeks after they had contact with the virus.

Illness can range from mild cases of diarrhea and vomiting to more severe symptoms of jaundice. Other symptoms include fever, low energy, stomach pain, and dark urine.