City of Toronto warning of potential Hepatitis A exposure at a very popular restaurant
The City of Toronto is warning diners at one popular restaurant that they could have been exposed to Hepatitis A.
Casual, after-work drinks could come with a bigger price tag than expected for Toronto residents who visited the ultra-popular 601 King St. W. location of Earls between Friday, July 11 and Wednesday, July 16, as a case of Hepatitis A has been confirmed in one of the restaurant’s employees.
Hepatitis A, a highly contagious and potentially fatal liver infection, is spread through the stool of an infected individual, meaning that unwashed hands are a frequent culprit behind outbreaks.
According to the City, if you were at Earls King Street during any of the following time slots, you may be at risk of being exposed:
- Friday, July 11: 4 p.m. to closeĀ
- Saturday, July 12: 4:30 p.m. to closeĀ
- Tuesday, July 15: 4:30 p.m. to closeĀ
- Wednesday, July 16: 7 p.m. to close
If you found yourself at Earl’s at any point during those dates, the City of Toronto encourages you to monitor for signs and symptoms of infection and to wash your hands thoroughly and regularly.
Symptoms of Hepatitis A include fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, dark urine, stomach pains, and jaundice, and can begin 15 to 50 days following the exposure.
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The Hepatitis A vaccine is the best way to prevent infection, and if the vaccine is received within 14 days of exposure, it can effectively put a stop to infection from taking root. The City is hosting free Hepatitis A vaccine clinics at 55 John St. on Friday, July 25, from 4 to 7 p.m. and Saturday, July 26, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. for anyone who may have been exposed.
If you are experiencing symptoms of Hepatitis A ā whether following an exposure at Earls or otherwise ā contact Toronto Public Health or your primary healthcare provider.
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