Toronto Public Health (TPH) is warning the public of potential Hepatitis A exposure risk at an Earls Kitchen + Bar downtown after learning about a confirmed case in an employee.
TPH says the confirmed case was found at a downtown location, at 601 King St. W.
According to TPH, exposures may have occurred between Friday, July 11 and Saturday, July 12, and Tuesday, July 15 and Wednesday, July 16.
Members of the public who may have been exposed are being encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
TPH says it will be hosting a free Hepatitis A vaccine clinic at Metro Hall on Friday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. for anyone who may have been exposed.
The health unit says the vaccine is most effective when taken within 14 days of exposure.
Hepatitis A is found in the stool of a person who is infected, and is transmitted through fecal-to-oral route.
TPH says a common way of getting Hepatitis A is through food contaminated by infected handlers.
According to the health unit, Hepatitis A is a virus that can cause liver damage. Symptoms of the virus can last a few days and up to months, some of those symptoms can include fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and dark urine, according to TPH.
Symptoms can begin within 15 to 50 days of exposure, and sometimes infected individuals may not have symptoms at all.
In a statement to Now Toronto, the restaurant says it is encouraging people who dined at the location during the dates outlined to contact their health-care provider.
“The safety of our guests and employees is our top priority and we are working closely with Toronto Public Health,” the statement said.
TPH says most people infected with Hepatitis A recover completely and develop a lifetime of immunity, and death from the virus is rare.
In addition to keeping an eye out for potential symptoms, the health unit says avoiding Hepatitis A can be done by washing your hands often with soap especially after using the washroom, and not handling or preparing food if you are ill.