Health officials recommend that customers patronizing the Clementon storefront in the past two weeks get a vaccine, which will be available at the Lakeland Road county facility Friday and Saturday.
By Matt Skoufalos | November 18, 2021
The Hepatitis A virus. Credit: CDC.
Customers who visited a Gloucester Township Starbucks in the past two weeks are advised to get a hepatitis A vaccine after Camden County health officials report a food handler there worked while sick with the virus.
According to the Camden County Health Department, an employee at the Clementon Starbucks (1490 Blackwood Clementon Road in Gloucester Township) tested positive for hepatitis A, a rare, yet highly contagious viral infection that targets the liver.
Health officials were notified Wednesday that the employee had tested positive for hepatitis A, and inspected the store the same day, “which showed no evidence of food safety violations,” according to a statement; however, the store was closed until all employees could be vaccinated.
Now Camden County health officials are advising anyone who patronized the location on November 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, or 13 to get a hepatitis A vaccine or immune globulin within two weeks of having visited the store.
The county will establish a clinic to administer shots at its Sustainable Facility (508 Lakeland Road, Blackwood) from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19, and 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 20.
“Our highest priority is ensuring everyone involved remains safe and healthy,” Camden County Health Officer Paschal Nwako said in a written statement. “The patient is not currently working, and close contacts have been identified.
“We encourage anyone who may believe they were exposed to get vaccinated against hepatitis A by calling the county health department or your primary care physician,” Nwako said.
File photo: Camden County Health Officer Paschal Nwako addresses the public about the first presumed case of coronavirus in Camden County. Credit: Matt Skoufalos.
Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that originates with the hepatitis A virus.
It’s commonly spread through ingestion of the fecal matter of an infected person, even microscopic amounts.
The virus may be transmitted by close contact with contaminated objects, food and drink, or infected people themselves.
Symptoms of Hepatitis A include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, dark urine, clay-colored bowel movements, joint pain, and jaundice.
They may present two to seven weeks after having been exposed to the virus, and children younger than six may not show symptoms of the illness. Infections can last a few weeks to several months.
For more information on hepatitis A and vaccine availability, Starbucks patrons are urged to contact the Camden County Health Department (856-549-0530) or their primary care physician.
