GULFPORT, Fla. — An employee at a Gulfport restaurant tested positive for hepatitis A, health officials in Pinellas County said Tuesday.
The employee worked at Gulfport Family Restaurant and may have been infectious between June 4 and June 11.
DOH-Pinellas says anyone who consumed food from this restaurant during that period and have not previously been vaccinated for hepatitis A should receive the first dose of the immunization. The second dose is provided six months after the first.
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"When a case's infectious period coincides with a work timeframe that might expose the public to hepatitis A, we consider whether to do a patron notification," said Dr. Ulyee Choe, director of DOH-Pinellas. "It's not a step we take lightly, but it's one that's undertaken when it's necessary to protect the health of the public, as with this one."
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Those with specific questions about exposure to hepatitis A at Gulfport Family Restaurant can call 727-824-6932 to reach the Epidemiology staff.
DOH-Pinellas is encouraging all healthcare providers, including hospital emergency departments to stay on high alert and immediately report cases to DOH-Pinellas.
DOH-Pinellas continues to offer the hepatitis A vaccine at no cost and without an appointment at the following clinic locations from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays.
- St. Petersburg: 205 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N
- Pinellas Park: 6350 76th Ave. N
- Mid-County (Largo): 8751 Ulmerton Rd
- Clearwater: 310 N. Myrtle Ave
- Tarpon Springs: 301 S. Disston Ave
Contact your county's health department for hepatitis A vaccinations if you live outside Pinellas.
