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Patrons urged to get hepatitis A vaccine

News release from the Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health:

Patrons urged to get hepatitis A vaccine

(June 1, 2013) – As a reminder, the Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health is urging some patrons of the 800 Degrees Three Fires restaurant on Illinois Road to get the hepatitis A vaccination.

The vaccine will be provided free of charge at the Southwest Allen County Schools Transportation Center at 4814 Homestead Road, near Aboite Elementary School (See map below). The times are as follows:

  • Saturday, June 1, Noon.-8 p.m.
  • Sunday, June 2, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

This will be set up as a drive-thru clinic so people will receive the vaccination in their vehicles. Children under age 18 need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Hepatitis A is a highly contagious virus that attacks the liver, causing fever, nausea, abdominal pain and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). It is spread through exposure to the fecal matter of an infected person, either through close person-to-person contact or through contaminated food or water.

The Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health was notified Friday of a positive hepatitis A case in a food worker at 800 degrees Three Fires at 5125 Illinois Road, near Interstate 69. The person last worked at the restaurant on May 26. None of the other employees have hepatitis A symptoms, and so far, no other cases have been identified.

Patrons who dined or had carry-out from the restaurant between May 18 and May 26, 2013 may have been exposed and are urged to get the vaccination as a precaution. While the risk is low, it is still a risk.

Patrons who ate at the restaurant in the days prior to May 18, 2013 will not benefit from the vaccination, but should monitor themselves for symptoms of hepatitis A. Anyone experiencing symptoms should seek medical attention immediately.

The Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health has established an information line at (260) 449-4499 to provide answers to common questions about the hepatitis A vaccination clinics.The phone line will be staffed from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today (June 1). At other times callers may hear a recorded voice message.

For more information, visit www.allencountyhealth.com. You can also check for updates on Facebook and Twitter.

 

About Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease caused by the Hepatitis A virus which is found in the stool (bowel movement) of an infected person. It is usually spread when a person ingests fecal matter — even in microscopic amounts — from contact with objects, food, or drinks contaminated by the feces, or stool, of an infected person. Symptoms can include fatigue, fever, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea and jaundice. A person can transmit the virus up to 14 days before symptoms appear. There is no treatment for Hepatitis A but a vaccination can provide protection if given within 14 days of exposure to the virus.

 

Directions to Vaccination Center

To receive the hepatitis A vaccination, go to the Southwest Allen County Schools Transportation Building at 4814 Homestead Road.

From the North

  1. Take I-69 S toward I-469/Fort Wayne
  2. Merge onto U.S.-24 W via Exit 102 (toward Huntington)
  3. Turn right on Liberty Mills Road
  4. Turn right on Homestead Road

 

From the South

  1. Take I-469 W/U.S.-24W/U.S. 33 N
  2. Take the Lower Huntington Road Exit 99 (toward Airport Expressway)
  3. Turn left on Lower Huntington Road
  4. Turn right on Homestead Road

 

From the East

  1. Take I-469 S/U.S.-24W
  2. Merge onto I-69 N/U.S.-24W/U.S.33 S via Exit 0B (toward Fort Wayne)
  3. Take Lower Huntington Road Exit 99 (toward Airport Expressway)
  4. Turn left on Lower Huntington Road
  5. Turn right on Homestead Road

 

From the West

  1. Go east on Illinois Road
  2. Turn right on Scott Road
  3. Turn right on Covington Road
  4. Turn left on Homestead Road

 

Printable copy of directions to Vaccination Clinic.

 

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