County Health Officials Warn Of Possible Hepatitis A Infection

San Andreas, CA — Health officials in Tuolumne and Calaveras Counties are warning residents of a possible Hepatitis A threat.

Officials say they were informed this week that a Tuolumne County resident contracted the contagious viral infection which results in liver inflammation.

The infected individual reportedly supervised children at the Sonora Parent Nursery Preschool twice during a potentially infectious three week period. The person also worked as a food handler at Ironstone Vineyards in Murphys.

Calaveras Health Officer Dr. Dean Kelaita says anyone who ate food from the Ironstone Deli between August 18th and 21st,on August 24th and between the 26th and the 28th should get an injection of immune globulin, which may prevent development of the infection.

Kelaita says it is important to get the injection within two weeks of exposure.

Kelaita says those known to have had contact with the individual at the preschool and at Ironstone are being immunized.

Calaveras County officials will be conducting three immunization clinics for those who may have been exposed at the winery. Those will be held today and tomorrow from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, and from 9:00 am to noon Saturday at the County Public Health Department.

Tuolumne County Public Health – 533-7401

Calaveras County Public Health – 754-6460

More information can be found at the web site of the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention

Tuolumne County residents should contact the county health office to make an appointment.

Symptoms of infection may include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, abdominal pain and jaundice. Officials urge anyone showing symptoms to seek medical attention immediately.