HOLMES BEACH, Fla. — A worker at a seafood restaurant in Holmes Beach was diagnosed with hepatitis A, the Manatee County Health Department said.
The worker was employed at the Ugly Grouper restaurant on Marina Drive.
The health department advises customers who ate at the restaurant before June 22 who haven't been vaccinated for hep A to consider getting the vaccine.
The department offers the vaccine from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at its main office at 410 6th Ave. E. in Bradenton. The office will be closed Thursday to observe the Fourth of July.
The vaccine will be available for free at these events:
- Anna Maria Elementary School, 4700 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday.
- Manatee County Health Department, 410 6th Ave. E., Bradenton; 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday
A hotline for people who have questions about hepatitis A will be available beginning at 8 a.m. Friday. The number to call is 941-708-5951.
HISTORY OF HEPATITIS A
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Hepatitis A was first differentiated from Hepatitis B in the 1940’s.
It wasn’t until 1995 that the first Hepatitis A vaccine hit the market, and that vaccine made a huge impact as Hepatitis A rates went down by more than 95% after the vaccine became available.
HEPATITIS A IS PREVENTABLE
The vaccine is effective and can even be administered up to two weeks after a patient is exposed to the virus. Aside from vaccination, regular and thorough hand-washing is the best way to protect yourself and prevent the spread of the disease.
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