Health officials warn of hepatitis A in western Arkansas

wireready_08-08-2018-16-14-02_03321_arkansasdepartmentofhealth

FORT SMITH, Ark. (AP) _ A day after warning Paragould residents in northeast
Arkansas about a possible hepatitis A exposure, Arkansas health officials are
warning residents of a western Arkansas city after a restaurant employee there
tested positive for the virus.

The Department of Health said Wednesday anyone who ate at Red Lobster in
Fort Smith between July 19th and Aug. 4th should immediately get vaccinated.
Officials say they are planning vaccination clinics in Sebastian County, though
they have not yet released the dates.

Hepatitis A is a contagious and potentially fatal, but treatable, liver disease
which can cause illness two to seven weeks after exposure. Symptoms include
fever, nausea, and jaundice.

Officials say the case is unrelated to outbreaks in northeast Arkansas, which
has sickened at least 80 people and caused one death.

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