Milwaukee Health Department confirms Hepatitis A case at local restaurant, recommends vaccination

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The City of Milwaukee Health Department issued a Monday, Nov. 18 press release to confirm a case of Hepatitis A involving an employee at Beans & Barley, a restaurant on the East Side.

The employee is said to have worked while infectious between Oct. 31 and Nov. 13 and is cooperating with health officials to limit the spread of the virus.

Hepatitis A is a contagious liver infection caused by a virus that can spread through contaminated food, water or person-to-person contact. Symptoms may include fever, nausea, abdominal pain, dark urine and jaundice.

The department says it is working with the restaurant to notify those who may have been exposed. Beans & Barley remains open, and there is no ongoing risk to patrons who did not consume food during the exposure period.

The department recommends that employees and patrons who ate at the restaurant between Oct. 31 and Nov. 13 who are not fully vaccinated against Hepatitis A watch for symptoms and be aware that receiving a vaccination within 14 days of exposure can prevent illness.

An emergency vaccination clinic will be held Monday at 1 p.m. at the Northwest Health Center, 7630 W. Mill Rd. Vaccinations are also available at pharmacies, healthcare providers and city health clinics.

For more information, visit the Wisconsin Department of Health website or call (414) 286-6800.