CHARLOTTE, NC — Health officials are trying to head off a possible Hepatitis A outbreak in Charlotte. Hundreds of people may have been exposed to the dangerous liver disease through a pizza shop.
A manager at the Papa Johns on Cambridge Commons Drive near I-485 in northeast Charlotte has tested positive for Hepatitis A. 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. Hepatitis A is spread by eating or drinking contaminated items. Hand washing is the best way to prevent the spread of the disease.
Symptoms can last as long as six months. They include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and muscle pain. The Mecklenburg County Health Department is offering vaccines from 4pm until 8pm Friday night at the office on Beatties Ford Road. The restaurant is close to the Cabarrus County line, so Cabarrus County is also offering vaccines Friday at the Health Department in Kannapolis.
