A restaurant that provoked a hepatitis A alert in Lake Louise re-opened following proper procedures by staff and health services.
Alberta Health Services (AHS) treated 383 potentially exposed people after a confirmed case of hepatitis A in a server who works at the Powderkeg Lounge, located at Lake Louise Ski Resort.
AHS offered vaccinations at the Banff Public Health Office and in Calgary on Nov. 20-21.
It’s “hard to say” how many could have been potentially exposed between Nov. 6-8, said Dr. Judy MacDonald, Medical Officer of Health, AHS – Calgary Zone.
“While we believe the risk to the public is low, hepatitis A is a serious infection,” said MacDonald. “A vaccine administered within 14 days of exposure can greatly reduce the risk for patrons who consumed food or hot beverages at this location during this timeframe.”
AHS gave the lounge the go ahead to continue doing business, said Dan Markham, director, brand and communications at Lake Louise Ski Resort.
Markham said AHS ran the proper protocols at the lounge, including sterilizing equipment and giving staff vaccinations before receiving the nod to re-open.
“Every single person in that kitchen was immunized as a precaution,” said Markham. The server has been cleared to work by AHS and will likely be back at the lounge this week, Markham added.
The server had been taken to a health clinic for “not doing so well” where a probe into the potential hepatitis A contamination was launched.
AHS said the infectious server might have exposed those to the virus who consumed hot beverages or food. It is noted those who consumed cold beverages are not at risk of exposure.
Hepatitis A is an infection of the liver caused by a virus, according to an AHS press release.
“Spread through the fecal-oral route, individuals primarily contract hepatitis A through direct contact with an infected person; however, individuals can also contract the illness indirectly by ingestion of contaminated food or water,” the release stated.
Illness can occur within 15 to 50 days after exposure to the virus and can be serious in adults.
MacDonald recommends travellers going outside of Canada should probably consider getting hepatitis A vaccine a minimum of six weeks prior to the trip.
“A dose is good for six months and a second dose is recommended for long lasting immunity,” she said.
Symptoms of hepatitis A may include: tiredness; poor appetite; nausea and vomiting; abdominal pain and fever followed by dark-coloured urine, light-coloured stools, and yellowing of eyes and skin several days later.
