Potential for hepatitis A exposure at restaurant

A case of hepatitis A has been diagnosed in a food handler at Crescent City Tavern in downtown Dalton, according to the North Georgia Health District 1-2.

Crescent City Tavern General Manager Bruce Arledge confirmed the diagnosis.

“We had a kitchen employee report for his regular shift a little over a week ago,” Arledge said. “The supervisor noticed there was a little jaundice and immediately sent him home. He was not allowed to work. He never went into the kitchen. He went to the hospital and after a battery of tests it was discovered he had hepatitis.”

The health department said “an investigation found that this employee worked while infectious this past Dec. 28 through Jan. 31.”

The department said “it is relatively rare for restaurant patrons to become infected with hepatitis A virus due to an infected food handler.” But it recommends anyone who dined at the Crescent City Tavern or had drinks there during the period the employee worked while infectious “should contact their health care provider to determine if a hepatitis A immunization is needed.”

Arledge said he was informed of the diagnosis on Wednesday. He said the health department inspected the kitchen and found no problems.

“We have been completely cooperative with the health department, and they have allowed us to remain open for business,” he said. “We are taking steps to make sure there is no possibility we might help spread this disease. The entire staff has been vaccinated for hep A, and all of our kitchen staff in the future will be required to have a hep A vaccine. We are going above and beyond what is required for hand washing and gloves.”