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Hepatitis Outbreak – East Tennessee - The Latest

KNOXVILLE, April 20, 2005 —

	Dr. Ann Draughon View 4/20 WBIR-TV Report | Video

Thus far, there are a total of 17 confirmed cases of hepatitis A in the most recent outbreak in East Tennessee. Thirteen are in Campbell County, one in Anderson and three are in Scott County. The outbreak began in Campbell County last week. The source of the hepatitis A virus is still undetermined. Dr. Paul Erwin, regional public health director, reports that no current restaurant workers in Campbell Country are positive for hepatitis A and that they believe that there are no new exposures in the last 14 days. Only one restaurant worker has been identified with hepatitis infection and the individual worked in a restaurant in Clinton, TN. Individuals who ate at that restaurant are being given shots this week at the National Guard Armory in Clinton, TN. Over 90 health workers are working 12-hour shifts to provide the shots.

The incubation period of hepatitis A virus is two weeks to six weeks with an average of 28 days. Persons who are infected with hepatitis A virus excrete virus from two weeks after exposure (two weeks before symptoms occur) to six weeks after exposure. They should not handle food in a restaurant at this time because of the risk of transmission of the virus. Antibodies (IgM) to hepatitis A virus can be detected in a blood sample beginning about 25 days after exposure and peak in blood samples after about 5 weeks. It will take almost a year for the antibody IgM to be undetected in blood samples of infected persons. Another type of antibody to hepatits A virus is called IgG. This type of antibody is first detectable in blood sample after about six weeks and slowly rises over the next 12 months.

Hepatitis A IS NOT the "flu". Hepatitis A is caused by a virus that attacks the liver. Approximately 1 person in 1000 infected with Hepatitis A will die of the illness. Although, most people will recover from this illness with no chronic effects, hepatitis A infection is not to be taken lightly.

IMPORTANT TO NOTE: If you have had hepatitis after 10 years of age, the American Red Cross Guidelines state that you should not donate blood.

A growing number of city and county public health departments across the country are beginning to require vaccination of restaurant workers for hepatitis A in order to obtain food handler permits, however, they are still in the minority. Vaccination is an effective way to prevent transmission of hepatitis A from sick workers to food. However, it is important to remember that raw foods, especially raw fruits and vegetables, have also been implicated as vehicles for transmission of hepatitis A.

WBIR-TV Report: UT Scientist: Food poisoning occurs frequently

Dr. Ann Draughon, Ph.D.
Professor and Co-Director
The University of Tennessee Food Safety Center of Excellence

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