The Philadelphia Department of Public Health is currently investigating a confirmed case of the Hepatitis A virus in an employee at a Northeast Philadelphia ShopRite, raising concerns about potential exposure.
The infected employee worked at the ShopRite located at 6301 Oxford St, prompting health officials to recommend Hepatitis A vaccination for individuals who handled raw beef or pork or consumed undercooked beef or pork from the store’s meat counter between Jan. 4 and Jan. 21.
For those who have previously received two doses of the Hepatitis A vaccine or have had Hepatitis A in the past, vaccination is not deemed necessary. The Health Department assures that no additional cases have been reported, and no other stores are affected.
As a precautionary measure, officials advise discarding beef or pork purchased during the specified timeframe and frozen. Alternatively, heating food and liquids to temperatures of 185°F (85°C) for at least 1 minute can effectively eliminate the virus, as exposure to freezing temperatures does not kill it.
The Health Department is providing free Hepatitis A vaccines on Saturday, Jan. 27, from 8 a.m. to noon at a district health center located at 2230 Cottman Ave. Individuals can also reach out to their healthcare providers or visit pharmacies for vaccination.
In case of Hepatitis A symptoms development, such as diarrhea, vomiting, jaundice, fever, low energy, stomach pain, or dark urine, individuals are urged to contact their doctors promptly. The Health Department can be reached for assistance at 215-685-5488, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Hepatitis A is a liver infection that can spread through poor hand hygiene, especially after using the bathroom and preparing food. Infected individuals can transmit the virus to others two weeks before showing symptoms and up to one week after symptoms start. Symptoms usually appear two to six weeks after exposure, ranging from mild cases to more severe manifestations. Stay informed and take necessary precautions for your health and safety.
