Do not worry; this will not be a blog about the mandatory vaccinations for children before entering grade school that so many parents eschew for whatever reasons. Those vaccines have eliminated Smallpox from the face of the Earth, and greatly reduced other childhood killers like Polio, Diphtheria, Pertussis and Tetanus along with many lesser severe viral illnesses.

Nope; this one is about another killer often related to food workers with Hepatitis A infections that is rearing its ugly head right now in numbers not seen for over 25 years in this country.

Hepatitis A causes a liver infection that can lead to jaundice, liver failure and even death.

As of January 24, 2018, there were over 1,300 cases diagnosed since the outbreak began in August of 2016.

The epicenters appear to be Detroit with 583 cases (527 in 2017) and San Diego with 666 cases in California and spreading into Utah with 101 cases.

This is ten times the normal rate for diagnosed cases of Hep A.

And it is a virulent strain with 41 dead so far. In Detroit, 83 percent of cases have been severe enough to require hospitalization.

The virus can be spread by drinking water or eating food that has been contaminated by fecal material from a person infected with Hepatitis A.

Detroit has identified three restaurant workers so far that were infected with the virus.

I know the restaurant restrooms probably all had signs saying employees must wash their hands before returning to work, but who is monitoring their response?

Persons infected with the virus are contagious for up to two weeks before they develop symptoms that might prompt a visit with a health care professional. By then hundreds may have eaten at the restaurant where that victim worked prompting public notices and unnecessary risk and worry.

Why do I say unnecessary? Because there is a vaccine, administered in two doses, which will virtually eliminate the risk of contracting that illness.

To help reduce the risk of Detroit residents, the Detroit Public Health Department recently announced that they will begin free vaccination clinics for food providers near the largest congregations of restaurants.

Like childhood immunizations, I think Hepatitis A vaccinations should be mandatory for all food workers. After all, it is a preventable food borne illness so why wouldn’t we require vaccination for the safety and protection of those most vulnerable, the elderly, the very young and those who are immunocompromised?

But we need a champion for this cause. How about the National Restaurant Association or the American Public Health Association?

Hepatitis A vaccine is also available for the general public, with the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommending vaccination for men having sex with other men, people traveling to developing countries where Hep A is common, for those with underlying liver disease, IV drug users, persons having contact with someone infected with Hepatitis A and all children at one year of age.

Don’t wait. Vaccinate.

Don’t wait; Vaccinate

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