MILWAUKEE — A restaurant employee at Beans and Barley on Milwaukees's east side tested positive for Hepatitis A prompting the health department to notify the public about potential exposure.
The city's health department and the restaurant received notification over the weekend. According to public health officials, the employee worked while they were infectious between Oct. 31 and Nov. 13.
Jim Neumeyer, co-owner of Beans and Barley, explained that the worker, a food safety manager, did not prepare food but would sometimes hand out orders.
TMJ4 News asked Neumeyer why it was important for him to answer questions publicly.
"We have been supported by the community for over 50 years. We feel like we owe a debt of honesty to that community. We want them to trust us," Neumayer replied.
Milwaukee's Commissioner of Health, Mike Totoraitis, said that the employee did the right thing by leaving work after noticing symptoms and then seeking medical attention.
Beans and Barley holds an A rating from the health department. It was not ordered to shut down. Inspectors were there Sunday to double-check the systems they have in place.
"Very confident based on the information that we have at the risk to the general public is very low," Totoraitis stated.
Hepatitis A is a contagious liver infection that spreads from person to person or through consuming contaminated food and drinks.
Preventative steps include good hand hygiene and avoiding contact with an infected individual if you are not vaccinated.
MHD found that around 80 people were potentially exposed, and nearly half were already vaccinated.
Watch: City leader, customer, and co-owner react to Hepatitis A exposure at cafe
"We're still working through the rest of the folks there to ensure that they were either up-to-date on the Hepatitis A vaccine or had prior infection. Hepatitis A is a virus that if you previously had it, you can't get it again," Totoraitis added.
"I'm older so anything could take me out," customer Ed Check told TMJ4.
Check visits Beans and Barley once a week. He is among those who went to the city's emergency vaccine clinic on Monday as a precaution. Despite the situation, Check says he will continue to patronize the business.
"At first it creeped me out and then I thought how cool is it that a restaurant came forth to let people know," Check explained.
What are the symptoms?
Hepatitis A symptoms often develop 2–7 weeks after exposure and may include fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, dark urine, pale stool, joint pain and jaundice.
How can you treat it?
If you believe you were exposed to Hepatitis A, you can get the two-dose vaccine at any health department walk-in clinic, local pharmacy or your primary care provider. Vaccination is effective within 14 days of exposure, according to MHD. Beyond the 14-day period, individuals are advised to monitor their symptoms.
MHD states that most people recover fully within two months. Severe cases can lead to prolonged illness.
MHD is offering vaccines to potentially exposed people at 1:00 p.m. on Monday. Just head to the Northwest Health Center on 7360 W. Mill Road in Milwaukee.
Watch: Milwaukee Health Dept. says Beans & Barley employee worked with Hepatitis A for two weeks
Click here for more information about the disease.
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