The New Jersey Department of Health is working with the Paterson Department of Health to notify residents about one confirmed case of hepatitis A in a food handler employed at Brother’s Produce located at 327 E Railway Avenue.
The individual worked while they were potentially infectious between September 30 and October 5, 2019.
The Department is recommending that:
Any produce purchased from Brother’s Produce between September 30 and October 5, 2019 should be discarded.
Individuals who may have eaten produce from Brother’s Produce between September 30 and October 5, 2019, and who were not previously vaccinated against hepatitis A, should receive “post-exposure prophylaxis” (PEP). PEP consists of hepatitis A vaccine and/or immune globulin which can further reduce the risk of acquiring hepatitis A. To be effective, PEP should be received as soon as possible, but no later than two weeks after eating contaminated food.
For most people, this date would be October 19, 2019.
PEP may be obtained from your health care provider.
For those without health insurance, the Paterson Department of Health has a limited amount of PEP. This is available to adults (age 19 and up).
They are providing PEP at their office at 176 Broadway, Paterson, NJ, on a first come, first served basis on Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 9 AM to 2 PM. No appointment is necessary.
For additional questions, you can leave a message with the Paterson Department of Health at 973-321-1277 x 2757.
Hepatitis A is mainly spread via close person to person contact or via contaminated food. Symptoms of hepatitis A may include fever, feeling tired, poor appetite, dark yellow urine, stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, yellow skin or eyes.
Symptoms usually appear within 3 to 4 weeks after infection.