San Diego County Announcement - IMPORTANT!
As a new approach to combating an ongoing hepatitis A outbreak in San Diego County, the County’s Health and Human Services Agency has been sending out “Field Foot Teams” of Public Health Nurses to contact the hard to reach homeless population.
As a reminder, Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection that is spread when a person ingests food or water that has been contaminated by the feces of an infected person. It is usually transmitted when an infected person has not properly washed his/her hands after using the bathroom or before preparing and eating food.
To prevent the spread of illness:
Ensure employees are handwashing with soap and warm water after using the bathroom, before preparing, serving, or eating food, switching tasks, and after any possible contamination.
Regularly clean restrooms (staff and public) and common areas of your restaurant using a bleach solution that contains ¾ cup of bleach for each gallon of water. Have staff wear disposable gloves while cleaning and wash their hands after removing the gloves.
Do not allow food handlers to work when ill or return to work until they have been symptom-free for two days.
For questions regarding this outbreak or additional information on handwashing and cleaning procedures, please contact DEH’s Epidemiology Liaison at (858) 505-6814.
For information about what you can do to prevent the spread of Hepatitis A, click here.
For a fact sheet about Hepatitis A symptoms and resources, visit our website here.
For a summary regarding the outbreak and frequently asked questions, click here.