SPRING HILL, Fla. (WFLA) – The Florida Department of Health in Hernando has identified a positive case of hepatitis A in a food service worker at the Silverthorn County Club Restaurant in Spring Hill.
The employee may have exposed patrons between April 12-30.
People who consumed food or beverage from the restaurant from April 12-16 may have been exposed to the virus and should monitor for symptoms of the infection.
News Channel 8 has learned thousands of high school students who attended prom at the country club may have been exposed to the disease.
We are hearing students from Springstead, Central, Weeki Wachee and Nature Coast high schools were possibly explosed.
Cathy Czyr wasn’t taking any chances. Her son and his girlfriend attended prom at Silverthorn over the weekend.
“And, the more I thought about it, the angrier I got. You don’t wash your hands after you go to the bathroom? I wash like a surgeon every time,” Czyr said.
“It’s just unbelievable. It’s crazy to think that because all these people have to go out of their way because they were eating and drinking their food,” said student Alyssa Fiorvante.
The symptoms include sudden onset of abdominal discomfort, dark urine, fever, diarrhea and yellow skin and eyes (jaundice).
Anyone experiencing symptoms should seek prompt medical attention.
DOH-Hernando is offering the hepatitis A vaccine for free at the Spring Hill location of the Health Department with extended hours May 1-3 and May 6-8 until 7 p.m. They will begin giving out the shots at 8 a.m.
Doors to the health department open at 7 a.m. and a large crowd is expected on Thursday.
The vaccine may provide protection against the disease if given within two weeks after exposure.
DOH-Hernando recommends the vaccine to anyone who ate or drank at the restaurant between April 17-30.
