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A Hardee’s spokesperson released the following statement Tuesday afternoon regarding an employee at one of their Charlotte locations who was recently diagnosed with hepatitis A.
“We can confirm that an employee at our Hardee’s restaurant at 2604 Little Rock Road in Charlotte, North Carolina was recently diagnosed with Hepatitis A. Once CKE became aware, we immediately notified Mecklenburg County Public Health, which conducted an inspection on Monday, June 25. Although the health department determined a mandatory closure was not necessary, out of an abundance of caution for our employees, guests and community, we voluntarily closed the restaurant this afternoon.
CKE is cooperating fully with the health department and are following all recommendations to ensure the health of our employees and customers. Based on guidance from the health department, we urge any guests who visited our Hardee’s restaurant at 2604 Little Rock Road between June 13 – 26 to get vaccinated.”
Original Story
CHARLOTTE, NC — Health officials have warned anyone who may have eaten at the Hardee’s location on Little Rock Road between June 13 and 23 to get a hepatitis A vaccination as soon as possible.
Public Health Director Gibbie Harris held a news conference Tuesday afternoon, and provided an update on the outbreak of hepatitis A recently discovered in Mecklenburg County. State health officials and the Center For Disease Control (CDC) identified the outbreak earlier this month, and say five new cases have been discovered since June 6th.
One case involves an employee at the 2604 Little Rock Road Hardee’s location, according to officials, who was diagnosed on Monday.
Harris says the Public Health Department is recommending a vaccination for any employee and customer who may have eaten at that location between June 13 and 23. According to the CDC, the vaccination must be given with 14 days of exposure to be effective.
Public Health vaccination clinics for customers who might have been exposed and for residents who meet the high-risk factors for hepatitis A will be held at the following times and locations:
- Wednesday, June 27 from 8 a.m. – 7.p.m, and Thursday, June 28 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., at Northwest Health Department, 2845 Beatties Ford Rd. and Southeast Health Department, 249 Billingsley Rd., Charlotte.
- Friday, June 29 from 3 p.m. – 8p.m. at the Hal Marshall Building, 700 N. Tryon St., Charlotte.
- Saturday, June 30 and Sunday, July 1 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Hal Marshall Building, 700 N. Tryon St, Charlotte.
The high-risk factors include:
- Those who are household members, caregivers, or have sexual contact with someone who is infected with hepatitis A
- Men who have sexual encounters with other men
- Those who use recreational drugs, whether injected or not
- Recent travel from countries where hepatitis A is common
- Homeless individuals who do not have easy access to handwashing facilities
The best ways to prevent hepatitis A include:
- Get the hepatitis A vaccine;
- Practice safe handwashing procedures – wash your hands under warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds after using the bathroom or changing diapers and before you prepare food, and
- Wear a condom during sexual activity.
The new cases raise the total to 10 confirmed cases since April 20. Officials say anyone who has had a hepatitis A infection, or one hepatitis A vaccination, is protected from the virus and does not require additional action.
You can get more information about hepatitis A and vaccinations by clicking here.
