Little Rock -- Patrons who ate at Arkansas State University and the Jonesboro Salvation Army are being warned against possible hepatitis A exposure.
An employee at the Arkansas State University Reng Student Center Cafeteria and a volunteer at the Salvation Army at 800 Cate Ave. in Jonesboro tested positive for the virus, according to a press release from the Arkansas Department of Health.
Anyone who ate at those facilities from Oct. 13 to Oct. 24 should seek vaccination immediately if they have never been vaccinated against hepatitis A or are unsure of their vaccination status, the release said.
Hep A is a contagious liver disease that can be prevented by a vaccination. There are no specific treatments once a person gets hepatitis A, according to the release. Certain medicines and the vaccination can prevent the illness after exposure. Treatment within two weeks can ensures the best outcome.
The Craighead County Local Health Unit will have a no cost vaccination clinic from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today and Friday Oct. 26 at their facility at 611 E. Washington Ave. in Jonesboro, the release said. The vaccine will also be available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 29 and Tuesday, Oct. 30. at the ASU Reng Student Center, 3rd floor Arkansas River Room behind the Multicultural Center.
Anyone experiencing symptoms should seek care immediately, the release said. Typical symptoms of hepatitis A include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, clay-colored bowel movements, joint pain, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). It can range in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a severe illness lasting several months.
Since February, 178 cases of hep A have been reported as part of an outbreak in Northeast Arkansas, including one death. Greene County has had the most cases, although there have been cases in Arkansas, Clay, Cleburne, Craighead, Independence, Lawrence, Lee, Mississippi, Monroe, Phillips, Poinsett, and Randolph counties.
For more information about hep A and updated information about the Arkansas outbreak, visit www.healthy.arkansas.gov.
NW News on 10/26/2018