Confirmed hepatitis A case prompts public alert in Nanton

NANTON - Alberta Health Services (AHS) has confirmed a case of hepatitis A in an individual who, while infectious, participated in preparing foods on Friday, Jan. 11 and Friday, Jan. 18, 2019, at the Auditorium Hotel 2011 20 Ave., Nanton, as well as on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2019, at JT Foster School, 2501 22 St., Nanton.

As a result, anyone who consumed food from the Auditorium Hotel on Jan. 11 and 18 may have been exposed to hepatitis A and should call Health Link (811) for assessment of exposure date and risk. These individuals will be given information regarding planned immunization clinics, as needed. Hepatitis A immunization can be provided within 14 days after an exposure and can often prevent illness from occurring.

There is no ongoing risk of infection associated with the restaurant. It has been cleaned, inspected, and approved as safe to operate by AHS Environmental Public Health inspectors.

Additionally, all individuals who ate bannock prepared by JT Foster School’s outdoor club on Jan. 17, 2019, may also have been exposed to hepatitis A. These individuals are being contacted directly by AHS Public Health through the school, and immunization clinics are being arranged.

Anyone who believes they may have been exposed are advised to monitor for symptoms of hepatitis A until March 8 as illness can occur from 15 to 50 days after exposure.

Symptoms of hepatitis A may include: tiredness; poor appetite; nausea and vomiting; abdominal pain and fever; followed by dark-coloured urine, light-coloured stools, and yellowing of eyes and skin several days later. Some people, especially young children, may get hepatitis A infection without noticing any symptoms; however, they are still infectious to others.

“While we believe the risk to the public is low, hepatitis A is a serious infection,” says Dr. Jia Hu, Medical Officer of Health, AHS Calgary Zone. “As a precaution, anyone who consumed food at the Auditorium Hotel on January 11 and 18 or bannock at JT Foster School on January 17 are advised to monitor themselves and their family for symptoms for 50 days after their last exposure.”

Hepatitis A is an infection of the liver caused by a virus. Spread through the fecal-oral route, individuals primarily contract hepatitis A through direct contact with an infected person; however, individuals can also contract the illness indirectly by ingestion of contaminated food or water.

If an infected individual does not properly wash his/her hands after using the washroom, the virus can be transmitted through food and beverages prepared by the infected individual.

Individuals who develop symptoms between now and March 8, 2019, are advised to contact Health Link at 811 immediately.

Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.