Some recent customers of Jerry’s Famous Deli in Westwood are advised to receive hepatitis a vaccinations.
According to a report by the Department of Public Health, an employee at the restaurant has contracted the disease, which can be spread through close contact or fecal contamination of food or drink.
Customers who ate sandwiches at the restaurant or who ate catered sandwiches from this particular location on Nov. 18, 21, 23 or 24 should contact a physician immediately. Consumers of other foods or drinks are not considered to be at risk of contracting the virus.
A spokesperson for Jerry’s Famous Deli could not be reached on short notice.Those who are at risk should be vaccinated within two weeks of exposure, said Evi Desser, a nurse practitioner at the Arthur Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center.
The virus causes an infection that inflames the liver and decreases its function, according to the Mayo Clinic website. In most cases, however, the liver completely heals on its own without treatment or permanent damage.
Symptoms of hepatitis a include jaundice, nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, fever and abdominal cramps, according to the Department of Public Health statement.
Anyone who has already had the hepatitis a vaccination, even as a child, is immune to the disease.
The Ashe Center provides vaccines for $39. To make a reservation to see a primary care provider, students should make an appointment online. For additional questions or personal concerns, students may also send messages to their primary care provider via the Ashe Center’s website. The full public health report can be found on the website under “Health Alerts.”
In addition, the Department of Public Health will be providing vaccines through certain clinics in the area, a list of which is available on the department’s website at publichealth.lacounty.gov or by calling the L.a. County info line by dialing 211 on any cell phone.