The Philadelphia Department of Public Health is investigating a confirmed case of hepatitis A virus infection in a ShopRite employee in Northeast Philadelphia.
Officials said the employee was infected while working at the ShopRite at 6301 Oxford Street.
The health department recommends that anyone who handled raw beef or pork or who ate raw beef or pork purchased in the meat section of a store between January 4 and January 21 should be vaccinated against hepatitis A as soon as possible. We encourage people to get vaccinated.
If you have previously received two doses of the hepatitis A vaccine or have had hepatitis A in the past, health officials say you do not need to get vaccinated.
Health officials said no new cases were reported and no other stores were affected.
Officials said frozen beef and pork purchased during the above period should be discarded as a precautionary measure. Additionally, heating foods and liquids to a temperature of 185°F (85°C) for at least 1 minute can kill viruses. Exposure to freezing temperatures does not kill the virus.
The Health Department will be offering free hepatitis A vaccines on Saturday, Jan. 27 from 8 a.m. to noon at the District Health Center, 2230 Cottman Avenue. He can also get the hepatitis A vaccine by contacting his health care provider or visiting a pharmacy.
If you develop symptoms of hepatitis A, the health department says you should contact your doctor immediately.
If you need assistance, please contact the Health Department at 215-685-5488, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Hepatitis A is an infection of the liver. Infection can spread if a person with hepatitis A prepares food without washing their hands thoroughly after using the toilet.
People infected with the hepatitis A virus can spread the virus to others from 2 weeks before symptoms of a liver infection appear to 1 week after symptoms of a liver infection appear .
People infected with hepatitis A usually develop symptoms 2 to 6 weeks after exposure to the virus. The illness can range from mild symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting to more severe symptoms of jaundice. Other symptoms include fever, lethargy, abdominal pain, and dark urine.
