Preventive Treatment Clinics Offered After Hepatitis A Scare

SWBOCES School Safety official shares information on recent health scare

In the wake of a recent Hepatitis A scare in Westchester County, preventive treatment resources are available to anyone who believes they may be affected, SWBOCES Supervisor of Safety and Facilities Brandon Cruz advises.

Two separate cases have been reported and the common denominator, said Cruz, citing health officials and news reports, was that the individuals had eaten at bartaco in Port Chester. Approximately 2,900 people have been treated for Hepatitis A in Westchester County. Preventive treatment is only effective if given within two weeks of exposure. Anyone with a prior history of Hepatitis A vaccination or Hepatitis A infection does not need to be treated.

The Westchester County Department of Health will offer preventive treatment at the Health Department Clinic at 134 Court St., White Plains, as follows:

Thursday, Nov. 2, from 9-11 a.m. (for those who dined October 19 - 23)
Friday, Nov. 3, from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. (for those who dined October 20 - 23)
Monday, Nov. 6, from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. (for those who dined on October 23)

Anyone under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent/guardian to provide consent.

Advance registration for these clinics is required. Go to www.health.ny.gov/gotoclinic/60. If you do not have internet access or need more information, call 211 from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Listed below are additional options for those looking to receive preventive treatment in Connecticut. Residents should call first.

Costco, 779 Connecticut Avenue, Norwalk, CT (203) 822 2003
Rite Aid Pharmacy, 190 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT (203) 838-6141
Greenwich Hospital, Greenwich, CT (203) 863-4500
The City of Stamford’s Health Department Clinic at 137 Henry Street (203-977-5385)

Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. It can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a severe illness lasting several months. Although rare, hepatitis A can cause death in some people. Hepatitis A usually spreads when a person unknowingly ingests the virus from objects, food, or drinks contaminated by small, undetected amounts of stool from an infected person. (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

“Symptoms include: Fever, jaundice (yellowing of skin), fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal discomfort and dark urine.” (Source: New York State Department of Health)

For additional information on Hepatitis A, please visit the following links. (Resources are available in Spanish as well.)

NYS Department of Health: Hepatitis A information

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Information on Hepatitis A

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Hepatitis A frequently asked questions

Media coverage:

LoHud.com: Nearly 3,000 people treated after potential hepatitis A exposure at bartaco