Birmingham Restaurant Worker Diagnosed With Hepatitis A

BIRMINGHAM (WWJ) - An alert is going out to patrons of a popular Oakland County restaurant about a potential health risk.

Patrons of the Social Kitchen and Bar, located on East Maple in Birmingham, are being notified as a precaution after a food service worker at the restaurant has been diagnosed with Hepatitis A — a viral infection.

Those at possible risk would have visited the restaurant between July 16 and Aug. 6, according to Jennifer Eisner with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

"Hepatitis A is spread person to person or through contaminated food or water,"  Eisner explained. "So this is something that can be spread relatively easy. However, when proper prevention measures are taken we can greatly reduce the risk of further infection."

Eisner says symptoms of a Hepatitis can appear anywhere from 15 to 50 days after exposure. They can include abdominal discomfort, nausea, fever, diarrhea or vomiting and yellowing of the skin and eyes. Other symptoms can include joints or muscle pain, fatigue and loss of appetite.

"Typically most people recover on their own without serious complications. However, it's very important that if you were exposed or if you begin to experience these symptoms that you contact your physician right away," Eisner said.

Eisner said the MDHHS is working with the local health department and the restaurant doing outreach to employees to receive vaccinations to prevent illness along with any other care that they may need.

For more about Hepatitis from the state of Michigan, visit this link.