Employee at Duval's seafood in Sarasota diagnosed with hepatitis A
SARASOTA, Fla. (FOX 13) - An employee at Duval's seafood restaurant in Sarasota has been diagnosed with hepatitis A, according to the Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County (DOH-Sarasota).
Anyone who ate at Duval's between April 26 and May 10 may have been exposed.
DOH-Sarasota says the food service worker may have been infectious while he or she was working at the restaurant, located at 1435 Main Street.
Anyone who frequented this restaurant during that period and has not been vaccinated for hepatitis A should consider getting vaccinated DOH-Sarasota said.
The vaccine comes in two doses, which are administered six months apart. The hepatitis A vaccine may provide protection against the disease if given within two weeks after exposure. Therefore, DOH-Sarasota says the hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for anyone who ate or drank at Duval's between May 3 through 10.
Symptoms of hepatitis A include sudden onset of abdominal discomfort, dark urine, fever, diarrhea, pale white stools, and yellow skin and eyes (jaundice). Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek medical attention.
Free hepatitis A vaccines are being offered by DOH-Sarasota at its Sarasota and North Port Immunization Clinics.
DOH-Sarasota, 2200 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota 34237
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 8-11 a.m. and 12:30-4:30 p.m.
- Tuesday: 8-11 a.m.
- Friday: 8-11 a.m. and 12:30-3:30 p.m.
DOH-Sarasota, North Port, 6950 Outreach Way, North Port 34287
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 8-11:30 a.m. and 1-4:30 p.m.
- Tuesday: 8-11:30 a.m.
- Friday: 8-11:30 a.m. and 1-3:30 p.m.
Concerned Duval's patrons can call DOH-Sarasota at 941-861-2900 for hepatitis A information to receive a vaccine this weekend.