Possible Hepatitis A Exposure at Central New York Restaurant

If you ate at a central New York restaurant, you may have been exposed to hepatitis A.

Schuyler County Public Health is warning anyone who dined at the Seneca Harbor Station restaurant in Watkins Glen between June 11 and June 21 of a potential hepatitis A exposure after an employee tested positive for the virus that infects the liver.

Most people don't get sick when an employee at a restaurant has hepatitis A, but there is still a risk. Anyone who may have been exposed should receive treatment to prevent infection.

“While the risk of infection is low, anyone who may have eaten at the restaurant during this time frame should check their immunization status and visit their healthcare provider if necessary” said Schuyler County Public Health Director Deborah Minor, RN, MPH.

Free hepatitis A vaccines will be available at the Schuyler County Human Services Complex in Montour Falls.

June 26 from 2-7PM
June 27 from Noon to 6PM
June 28 from Noon to 4PM

The hepatitis A vaccine is only effective within two weeks of exposure to the virus. Anyone who ate at the Seneca Harbor Station restaurant between June 12 and June 21 and have not been previously vaccinated against hepatitis A should receive the vaccine as soon as possible. Pre-registration for the clinic is encouraged. Visit Health.ny.gov/go2clinic to pre-register. If you cannot pre-register, bring your driver’s license or another form of identification.

Those who ate at the Seneca Harbor Station restaurant on June 11, may have been exposed but will not benefit from hepatitis A vaccine to prevent infection and are encouraged to monitor themselves and their families for symptoms for 50 days after consuming the food.

Hepatitis A Symptoms

Fever
Fatigue
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Vomiting
Abdominal pain
Dark-colored urine
Clay-colored stool
Joint pain
Jaundice

If you have any symptoms, contact your healthcare provider and be sure to tell them you may have been exposed to hepatitis A.

The owner and staff at the restaurant are complying with all recommendations from the state and local health department. The restaurant is currently open and there is no risk to eating there at this time.

For more information, call 607-535-8140 or visit the New York State Department of Health online at Health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/hepatitis/.