Anyone who recently ate at Marj's Village Kitchen here should get a hepatitis A vaccination as soon as possible.
Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH) issued that warning about the popular Alma eatery on Jan. 22.
Officials say anyone who ate at Marj's between Jan. 2 and 20 should get vaccinated, as an employee at the restaurant has a confirmed case of hepatitis A.
"Anyone who ate there in the first part of January could be at risk of infection," Dr. Nicola Mercer, medical officer of health and CEO for WDGPH, said in a press release.
Public health is holding free hepatitis A vaccine clinics for anyone affected. The clinics will be held at the Fergus WDGPH office on Jan. 22 from 3 to 7pm and Jan. 23 from 8:30am to 4:30pm.
“The risk of exposure is low, but anyone who ate at this restaurant in the first half of January should get a vaccination as a precaution,” said Mercer.
“Symptoms can develop 15 to 50 days after exposure to the virus and can range from mild to severe. Infants and the elderly can get quite sick. It is important to get your vaccine as soon as possible.”
Hepatitis A is a virus that causes liver infection with symptoms that can last a few weeks to several months. Symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, tiredness, nausea and vomiting, dark urine and yellowing of the skin. The virus is rarely fatal and is not known to cause long-term infection.
Public health officials are asking anyone with questions about getting the vaccine or concerns about hepatitis A to call 1-800-265-7293.
