Asbury Park restaurant worker tests positive for Hepatitis A

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After an employee at an Asbury Park restaurant tested positive for Hepatitis A, the Monmouth County Health Department is alerting patrons who dined there to monitor their health.

In a Sept. 27 press release, health officials said they were notified by a health care provider that a staffer at Cardinal Provisions was infected, prompting the county to launch an investigation into the exposure. Following a review, the department determined the employee worked while infectious on Sept. 7-10, as well as on Sept. 12, Sept. 14, Sept. 17, Sept. 19 and Sept. 21.

While the county said it is uncommon for restaurant patrons to become infected with Hepatitis A due to an infected food handler, anyone who consumed food and drinks at Cardinal Provisions during the aforementioned period should consider receiving a vaccination within two weeks from the last date of exposure.

Additionally, for the next 50 days after exposure, individuals should monitor for symptoms of the virus, which can include loss of appetite, nausea, tiredness, fever, stomach pain, brown-colored urine, light-colored stools, and yellowing of the skin or eyes.

They should also wash their hands with soap and warm water frequently and thoroughly, especially after using the bathroom and before preparing food, and stay at home and contact their health care provider immediately if symptoms of Hepatitis A infection develop, the county said.

During an on-site inspection of the Bangs Avenue eatery, the county found no evidence of food safety violations. Additionally, the restaurant voluntarily closed and did not reopen until all exposed employees were vaccinated, officials noted.

For more information, contact the Monmouth County Health Department at 732-431-7456 or go to visitmonmouth.com.