LARGO, Fla. -- We've just uncovered another hepatitis A case in Pinellas County.
Our ABC Action News I-Team is just learning Ted's Luncheonette at 1201 Clearwater Largo Road North in Largo had an employee who tested positive for hepatitis A, according to state records.
The Division of Hotels and Restaurants conducted a joint investigation with the county on May 6 and documented that the employee who was infected was a food handler.
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ABC Action News Anchor Wendy Ryan spoke to the owner Jimmy Stoupas on Tuesday who said he's been cooperating fully with the health department and all of his employees were immediately vaccinated.
In addition, Stoupas said Ted's Luncheonette was thoroughly sanitized, as they do on a daily basis.
Hepatitis A has become an epidemic in the bay area and the state with more than 1,500 confirmed cases in Florida since January 2018.
The Hepatitis A virus is spread when a person unknowingly ingests the virus from objects, food or drinks that have been contaminated with small undetected amounts of stool from an infected person.
Pinellas County Health Department is offering Hepatitis A vaccines to the public at no cost at several vaccine centers. For more information on where you can get these free vaccines in Pinellas County, you can click here . Other Florida counties, including Hillsborough, also provide free or discounted Hepatitis A vaccines. You can click here for more information .
For more information on Hepatitis A and guidelines from the federal government, visit: www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hav/index.htm.
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