AHS issues warning over confirmed hepatitis case of food handler in Edmonton airport
Posted October 17, 2023 8:10 pm.
Alberta Health Services (AHS) has confirmed a case of hepatitis in a food handler working at two restaurants in the Edmonton International Airport.
AHS says that anyone who consumed food or a drink from either the Belgian Beer Café or the Boston Pizza within the airport may have been exposed and should call Health Link at 1-888-851-1919 immediately.
Officials say Health Link staff will assess your exposure risk and help book you in for a preventive hepatitis A vaccine if you are eligible. A vaccine, given after exposure, can prevent the development of hepatitis A illness.
Otherwise, restaurant goers should monitor their symptoms over the next 50 days.
AHS says symptoms include tiredness, poor appetite, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, fever, dark-coloured urine, light-coloured stools, and yellowing of eyes and skin. Some people, especially young children, may get a hepatitis A infection without noticing any symptoms; however, they are still infectious to others.
“There is no specific treatment for hepatitis A, but it can be prevented through immunization. For more information visit Hepatitis A (HAV) Vaccine. We also always encourage proper hand hygiene practices to help prevent the spread of communicable illness,” says Dr. Michael Zakhary, Edmonton Zone Medical Officer of Health.
Anyone outside the province who attended one of those restaurants should contact their local public health office.
AHS says the possible dates and times of exposure are as follows:
Belgian Beer Café (1000 Airport Rd, Edmonton International Airport)
- October 5 from 2-9 p.m.
- October 7, 8 or 11 from 4:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
- October 12 from 1-8 p.m.
Boston Pizza (1000 Airport Rd, Edmonton International Airport)
- October 1 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- October 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- October 8 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“There is no ongoing risk of infection associated with either restaurant and this case is not a risk to the greater general public. Public Health inspectors have visited and spoken with the operators of the restaurants to review food safety practices and the locations are safe to operate,” adds Dr. Zakhary.
