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Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Hepatitis A outbreak strikes elite enclave known as playground for the rich
A historic Cape Cod restaurant has been struck by an outbreak of the highly contagious hepatitis A virus, health officials warn. State health authorities warned this week that anyone who ate at The Red Inn in wealthy Provincetown, Massachusetts, may have been exposed to the liver infection that is spread through contaminated food and water. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health said anyone who ate at the restaurant between April 30 and May 15 should seek medical attention immediately. An food service employee working during that time period tested positive for the disease. The department said customers who think they were exposed within the last two weeks and have no symptoms may be able to get treated with antibodies and a vaccine, which is 94 percent effective for several years. The Red Inn is currently 'open and safe to dine at,' and the restaurant is 'cooperating fully' with health authorities, Provincetown officials said in a statement. No additional illnesses have been reported, and it's unclear how many customers were exposed during that timeframe. The infected employee is 'recovering well' and 'remaining out of work' for the time being. Lezli Rowell, Provincetown Health Department Director, said: 'From my experience inspecting The Red Inn through the years, this is not a facilities issue. 'The staff is knowledgeable, trained in food safety and committed to best management practices, and the back of the house is top-notch. 'This is just an unfortunate illness that happened to an individual who is reported to be recovering well and remaining out of work until medically cleared to resume food handling employment.' The Red Inn is a 200-year-old restaurant and hotel serving tourists to the wealthy Cape Cod destination, many of whom make $200,000 per year, more than twice the national average, according to research firm The CDC estimates 180,000 Americans are struck by hepatitis A every year, many of whom have no symptoms, which include fever, nausea, abdominal pain, jaundice, dark urine and hives. The disease spreads when infected stool enters a person's mouth, often by eating or drinking contaminated food or water. It also may spread through kissing, hugging, sharing utensils or having sex with an infected person. Once the virus enters the body, it infects liver cells and causes inflammation. Most cases go away on their own with no permanent damage, but it could take up to six months for symptoms to disappear entirely. There is no treatment for the condition other than antibody therapy and vaccines within two weeks of exposure. Dr Paul Sax, clinical director of infectious diseases at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, told local news: 'It's not the kind of illness like a typical food poisoning where you're sick for one or two days, then you're back to normal within a week. 'Usually, people with hepatitis A, at least the people who get diagnosed, are out for two to three weeks, sometimes longer.' In extremely rare cases - one in 5million people - the infection can be fatal due to severe liver failure. Massachusetts health officials urged people who may have been exposed to get vaccinated within two weeks, as the first dose is only effective for that period. A second dose six months later provides protection for several years and is 94 percent effective. Dr Sax said: 'It makes sense for people to get vaccinated for hepatitis A. Our hepatitis A vaccine is one of the safest and most effective vaccines that we have.'
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Diners at Cape Cod restaurant may have been exposed to hepatitis A
Anyone who dined at The Red Inn restaurant and hotel in Provincetown between April 30 and May 15 may have been exposed to hepatitis A and should contact their health care provider, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced Saturday. A food service employee who worked at the Commercial Street restaurant during those dates has been confirmed as having a hepatitis A infection, the health department said in a press release. Measures that prevent hepatitis A infections, such as the hepatitis A vaccine are generally only effective at if administered prior to symptoms appearing and within two weeks of exposure to the virus, according to the health department. Early symptoms of hepatitis A include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and jaundice. Hepatitis A infections can vary in severity, with mild cases lasting two weeks or less and more severe cases lasting four weeks or longer, according to the health department. Some infected persons — most often children — may develop such a mild illness that it goes unnoticed, but even mildly ill people can be highly infectious, the health department said. People who show symptoms of hepatitis A infection should consult a health care provider even if their illness is mild. Hepatitis A spreads through exposure to the feces of an infected person, close contact with an infected person or by ingesting food or drinks that have been handled by an infected person, according to the health department. Those who may have been exposed to the virus at The Red Inn are urged to wash their hands thoroughly prior preparing food to avoid further spread of disease. The hepatitis A vaccine has been recommended as part of childhood immunizations since 1991, so people 34 years or younger may have been previously vaccinated, the health department said. Those who may have been exposed at The Red Inn are urged to check their vaccination status with their health care provider. For more information on hepatitis A, call the health department's epidemiology department at 617-983-6800. Westfield Health Bulletin: physician's retirement a reminder of importance of primary care doctors Harvard hit with discrimination lawsuit over mental health policies Billy Joel cancels all future shows after new diagnosis 'exacerbated by recent performances' Read the original article on MassLive.
Boston Globe
25-05-2025
- Health
- Boston Globe
Health officials warn of Hepatitis A exposure at historic Provincetown restaurant
Provincetown officials said in a Advertisement Reached by phone, a restaurant employee declined to comment on Saturday evening. The restaurant did not immediately return an emailed request for comment. Hepatitis A can be spread via close person-to-person contact or through contaminated food and drink, according to state health officials. Vaccines and the medication Early symptoms of hepatitis A can include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and jaundice, officials said. Mild cases may last two weeks, with more severe cases lasting six weeks or longer. Childhood vaccination against hepatitis A has been recommended for children since 1991. That means individuals under 34 may be safe from infection, although state officials said that exposed diners should confirm their vaccination status with their doctors. Advertisement The Red Inn, originally built in 1805, has served as a hotel since 1915, according to its Camilo Fonseca can be reached at
CBS News
24-05-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Provincetown restaurant customers potentially exposed to hepatitis A, health officials warn
Health officials are warning customers who dined at The Red Inn in Provincetown to get checked for hepatitis A due to a potential exposure from a worker at the restaurant. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health said that anyone who ate at the restaurant between April 30 and May 15 should talk to their doctor as soon as possible. The employee, who tested positive, could've exposed customers between those dates. If you think you were exposed to hepatitis A, your doctor may be able to provide a preventative treatment if you are within two weeks of being exposed and haven't developed symptoms. Preventive treatment includes the hepatitis A immune globulin and vaccine. Anyone aged 34 years or younger may have been vaccinated for the disease. Symptoms of hepatitis A These are the symptoms to look out for, according to health officials: Fever Fatigue Nausea and loss of appetite Vomiting Diarrhea Jaundice Symptoms typically can clear within two weeks, but severe cases can last anywhere from four to six weeks or longer. Anyone who is infected is highly contagious and can easily spread through food and drinks as well as close contact. It is recommended that if you have hepatitis A, you should vigorously wash your hands, wrists, between fingers, and under fingernails before handling any food and after using the bathroom.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
State health officials warn of possible Hepatitis A exposure in Provincetown
Massachusetts health officials are cautioning people who dined at The Red Inn in Provincetown on April 30 and May 15 to contact their healthcare provider, as they may have been exposed to hepatitis A. According to the Department of Public Health, a food service employee who worked on those days was confirmed to be infected with the hepatitis A virus. Customers who may have been in contact are urged to thoroughly wash their hands before handling food. Hepatitis A is spread through fecal contamination, commonly orally. The virus can also be spread person-to-person through close contact, or from food handling, and contaminated foods or drinks. The first symptoms of hepatitis A are: Fever Fatigue Loss of appetite Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea Jaundice (dark urine, yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes) The severity of the illness can vary; mild cases usually last two weeks or less, while more severe cases may persist for a month or longer. In some instances, individuals may experience symptoms so mild that they go unnoticed, yet they can still be highly contagious. Preventive measures, such as a hepatitis A vaccine and a hepatitis A immune globulin are considered the only effective ways at preventing the infection. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
