News release from the Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health:
Patrons still needing hepatitis A vaccine can make appointments with health department
(June 2, 2013). – The Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health provided more than 1,100 hepatitis A vaccinations at its special drive-thru clinics this weekend at the Southwest Allen County Schools Transportation Center.
Due to the high volume of people who were vaccinated, the Department of Health is currently out of the vaccine. Health officials are working with state and local vendors to try to order more vaccine supply and hope to have it in this week.
Any person who still needs the vaccination is encouraged to call the Department of Health at (260) 449-7514 during normal business hours Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., to check on vaccine availability and make an appointment. The department’s immunization clinic is at 4813 New Haven Avenue. The vaccine will be given free of charge when it becomes availability.
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. There is no specific treatment once symptoms appear, but a vaccination can help lessen the effects of the disease if given within 14 days of exposure.
A food worker at the 800 Degrees Three Fires restaurant at 5125 Illinois Road has tested positive for hepatitis A. 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 20 and May 26, 2013 can still benefit from the vaccination. Patrons who dined before May 20 are now outside the window of vaccine effectiveness and should monitor themselves for symptoms of hepatitis A. Anyone experiencing symptoms should seek medical attention immediately.
For more information, visit www.allencountyhealth.com. You can also get 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.
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