Cafeteria employee out with hepatitis

Students safe, say officials

By: Rebecca Tokarz
   School and township health officials say students are not at risk to contract hepatitis A, even though a food service employee tested positive for it last week.
   The food handler had been on staff since December, working shifts at the high school, Indian Fields, Constable, Greenbrook and Brunswick Acres schools.
   On Jan. 16, Chartwells School Dining Service and the township Department of Health were notified that a female worker had tested positive for hepatitis A during a mandatory health screening for all Chartwells employees.
   According to the state Department of Health, testing positive for hepatitis A means the disease could have been transmitted anytime within the past six months.
   Following township Department of Health procedures, the employee was removed from the job as a precautionary measure.
   According to Katie Miller, a spokeswoman for Chartwells, the employee has been cleared to return to work by her doctor and is not infectious. However, that employee has yet to return.
   "We addressed the issue as soon as we received notification," school board President Harry J. Delgado said.
   He also said the district has been assured that the situation is not life threatening.
   Hepatitis A is an illness of the liver caused by infection with the hepatitis A virus.
   Although the worker is not infectious, employees who came into contact with the woman have been immunized, said Township Health Officer Stephen Papenberg.
   "This is just a precautionary measure to ensure that no one is affected by the disease," Mr. Papenberg said.
   Mr. Papenberg said students who came into contact with the food handler are not at risk for contracting hepatitis A.
   Hepatitis A can be transmitted through fecal matter or orally, said Mr. Papenberg. In addition, hepatitis A can be transmitted by eating or drinking foods that are contaminated with the virus or by coming in direct contact with an infected person who has poor hygiene. Food can be contaminated if it is handled or prepared by an infected person with poor hygiene, according to the state Department of Health’s Web site.
   The food service company has a policy that its food handlers wear gloves and exhibit personal hygiene.
   Mr. Papenberg said the employee did not exhibit any symptoms of the illness, such as skin discoloration, a change in the color of urine, vomiting, fatigue and poor appetite.
   According to the Department of Health’s Web site, people who contract the disease do not always exhibit symptoms. Some persons experience no symptoms or may have minor symptoms, including fatigue, poor appetite, fever or vomiting.
   A letter from Chartwells to parents of students at affected schools explained the situation and said precautionary measures have been taken.
   "We have no reason to believe that any students have been at risk, but as always, we prefer to err on the side of caution," a letter from Chartwells and the Department of Health said.
   Mr. Papenberg said that parents who are concerned or whose children experience similar symptoms should see their physician and advise them of the situation.
   "It’s good for parents to know," he said.
   Questions or concerns should be directed to Mr. Papenberg at (732) 329-4000, ext. 237 or David Pethybridge, regional director of Chartwells Schools Dining Service, (609) 409-2010, ext. 232.