Sarasota health officials encourage Hep A vaccine after food worker tests positive

SARASOTA, Fla. (FOX 13) - Health Department officials are encouraging patrons of a Sarasota restaurant to get the Hepatitis A vaccine after a new case was discovered.

Officials said Friday that a food service worker at Piccolo Italian Market & Deli tested positive for Hepatitis A, and worked at the restaurant while infected.

Anyone who ate at the establishment between June 21 and June 29 is encouraged to get a vaccine.

“Well we were having a great Italian sandwich and now we’re at the health department,” said Sue Fetty, who ate at the restaurant during the affected dates. ”I hope that people will get vaccinated so that it doesn’t spread.”

Health officials said there is no longer a risk to anyone at the restaurant.

“After that person stopped working at the restaurant there’s no risk to patrons from that particular individual. We’ve already worked with that restaurant and staff to get them vaccinated and now we’re working with individuals who may have consumed food in that risk window,” Administrator and Health Officer Chuck Henry.

Hepatitis A vaccines are available Monday through Friday at the Health Department at 2200 Ringling Boulevard.