Willow Glen Resident

News

Possible Hepatitis A exposure at Jamba Juice in Willow Glen

By Emilie Crofton

The Santa Clara County Public Health Department announced on Aug. 23 that some customers at the Willow Glen's Jamba Juice, located at 1140 Lincoln Ave, could have been exposure to Hepatitis A.

A female food handler at the store was diagnosed with the virus; she worked Aug. 1-3, 6-9, 11 and 13-16, while she had the potentially infectious virus.

County health officials recommend anyone who might have been in the store and purchased any food to see their doctor. This is a precautionary warning from county health officials.

Santa Clara County Public Health Department spokeswoman Joy Alexiou said, "The risk of infection is low because the store and the workers practice good safety and hand hygiene. However, it was still important to notify the public."

Hepatitis A is a liver disease that can affect anyone.

Symptoms, which include jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea and fever, usually last less than two months, although some may be ill for up to six months, according to the public health department officials.

"It's important for those who ate or drank from the store during the possible exposure dates to watch for symptoms for up to 50 days," Alexiou said.

Santa Clara County health officer Marty Fenstersheib recommends those persons who are not protected and are within 14 days of exposure, receive the Hepatitis A vaccine or immune globulin through their medical provider.

Fenstersheib said a person exposed to the virus in the last 14 days could benefit from the vaccine. The vaccine is for children and adults from the ages of 12 months to 40 who are not pregnant, immune-compromised or have chronic liver disease.

Customers under the age of 1 and older than 40, who are immune-compromised, pregnant or have chronic liver disease can receive an immune globulin shot for infection prevention.

Those who have had a Hepatitis A vaccine or have had the illness in the past are protected from infection.

The day after the announcement the Jamba Juice had a limited number of customers; however, those at the store were not concerned.

"I'm not worried," Willow Glen resident John Rathbun said while sipping his smoothie. "The workers and manager are great and I'm sure they take proper health and hygiene precautions." Rathbun said he goes to Jamba Juice two to three times a week and will continue going.

Willow Glen resident Sonia Shell, who was outside at the neighboring Noah's, was a little more apprehensive.

"I won't be going for the next few days until things are more under control," Shell said, "but I'm not too worried about it."

The health department was notified about the threat by the sick worker's doctor. At the time she was working at the store, the woman was unaware that she had contracted the virus.

Jamba Juice has informed the health department that it will reimburse individuals for "reasonable, out-of-pocket medical expenses." These expenses include costs related to the diagnosis and treatment of Hepatitis A.

For more information about Hepatitis A, and how to prevent illness after exposure, call the Santa Clara County Public Health Informational Line at 408.885.3980, or visit www.sccphd.org or www.cdc. gov/ncidod/diseases/ hepatitis/a/.

To obtain the reimbursement policy and form for medical care, call Jamba Juice at 877.217.4780.