Clearwater Arby’s food worker tests positive for hepatitis A, No-cost rapid hepatitis C testing in Pinellas

Clearwater Arby’s

The Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County has identified a positive case of hepatitis A in a food service worker at Arby’s Restaurant in north Pinellas, FL. The employee may have exposed patrons between April 5 – 20, 2019.

Image/David Benbennick

Officials conducted an epidemiological investigation and determined the individual who worked at Arby’s Restaurant, 30263 US Highway 19 N., Clearwater 33761, between April 5 and 20 may have been infectious.

If you frequented this restaurant during that period and have not previously been vaccinated for hepatitis A, you should consider getting vaccinated.

DOH-Pinellas continues to offer the hepatitis A vaccine at no cost and without an appointment at these clinic locations from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays:

  • St. Petersburg: 205 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N
  • Pinellas Park: 6350 76th Ave. N
  • Mid-County (Largo): 8751 Ulmerton Rd
  • Clearwater: 310 N. Myrtle Ave
  • Tarpon Springs: 301 S. Disston Ave

 

No-cost rapid hepatitis C testing 

The Pinellas County Health Department (DOH-Pinellas) is providing no-cost rapid hepatitis C testing and education at two of its centers on Friday, May 17 to observe May as National Hepatitis Awareness Month.

No-cost rapid hepatitis tests will be provided at these locations on May 17:

  • 8 a.m. to noon at the Clearwater center, 310 N. Myrtle Ave.
  • 8 a.m. to noon at the St. Petersburg center, 205 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N.

It’s especially important for Baby Boomers, those born between 1946 and 1964, and those who share needles to know their hepatitis C status because it can reside in the body without symptoms for decades. Knowing one’s status can mean an opportunity for early treatment before symptoms flare up.

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