Hepatitis reported in Labrador West
Health officials are worried that a fast food worker may have spread hepatitis A in Labrador West.
The person who contracted the liver disease worked at the Tim Hortons in Labrador City, and had recently returned from a trip abroad.
Labrador Grenfell Health is asking people who had food from the restaurant between July 3 and July 6, and who experience symptoms over the next six weeks, to see their family doctors.
The health authority has already begun tracing possible contacts and will be offering immunization to people who came into close contact with the worker.
Vaccines also are being made available for people who consumed food and beverages from Tim Hortons during that time.
Labrador Grenfell Health is expected to announce more details on Thursday.
The hepatitis A virus is transmitted through contaminated food or water.
Symptoms are generally mild and could include fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal discomfort, joint pain, darkening of the urine and yellowing of the skin or eyes, or jaundice.
Health officials believe the risk of transmission is low and those who do contract hepatitis A usually fully recover in a few weeks without any long-term effects.
