
Hepatitis A was found in many Whole Foods products.
According to Detroit health officials, two cases of hepatitis A were linked to Whole Foods Market. Based on the reports, the strain was found in prepared foods, but there is the possibility that it spread to other sections as well.
It seems the first infected person was one of the food handlers working in the store, while the second contracted the hepatitis A virus from the sick employee. Fortunately, the two individuals were diagnosed fast, so the virus didn’t have time to cause an outbreak.
However, officials strongly recommend all Whole Foods customers who consumed prepared food between October 6 and October 12 to go to their doctor for a preventive check and treatment. The Whole Foods contaminated market can be found on Mack Avenue.
Hepatitis is a liver inflammation divided into three types: A, B, and C. CDC experts underline that hepatitis A is very contagious and can be transmitted through fecal or orally.
Also, people can contract the virus via contaminated water and food, or through personal contact. Despite the fact that it is not known for sure if the sick employees have been vaccinated before, vaccination is a viable asset in preventing the infection.
According to Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, Detroit Health Department Health Officer and Executive Director, doctors haven’t figured out yet how the two men got infected, even if Whole Foods has such a strict food safety policy.
He further added that healthcare officials and authorities are doing their best to protect the local community against the virus and to help those that might have been exposed, while Whole Foods offered full cooperation during the process.
The company’s officials declare that although there was no direct association between the second sick person and the grocery store, Whole Foods will work side by side with the Detroit Health Department to make sure that all employees and customers are safe and sound.
Hepatitis A symptoms include joint pain, yellow eyes and skin, dark urine, gastrointestinal illness, and fever. Even if not every person who gets infected experiences these symptoms, they usually occur between two to six weeks.
In up to 99 percent of the cases, the body manages to get rid of the hepatitis A infection without any consequences. Still, even after the recovery, every person must follow a healthier diet and avoid certain foods.
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