Β CHARLOTTE, NC — Health officials are trying to head off a possible Hepatitis A outbreak in Charlotte. Β Hundreds of people may have been exposed to the dangerous liver disease through a pizza shop. Β
A manager at the Papa Johns on Cambridge Commons Drive near I-485 in northeast Charlotte has tested positive for Hepatitis A. Β Health officials say anyone who ate food from the restaurant between March 28 and April 7 needs to be vaccinated.
“If you had a Papa Johns pizza on March 28 or 29, you need to get in right away and get a vaccine, because you’re starting to get outside of that 14 day window,” said Dr. Marcus Plescia, Director of Mecklenburg County Health. Β Hepatitis A is spread by eating or drinking contaminated items. Β Hand washing is the best way to prevent the spread of the disease.
Symptoms can last as long as six months. Β They include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and muscle pain. Β The Mecklenburg County Health Department is offering vaccines from 4pm until 8pm Friday night at the office on Beatties Ford Road. Β The restaurant is close to the Cabarrus County line, so Cabarrus County is also offering vaccines Friday at the Health Department in Kannapolis.
