VANCOUVER – A public health alert has been issued by Vancouver Island Health Association after a cashier at the Nanaimo Superstore tested positive for hepatitis A.
Immunizations will be offered to employees and eligible members of the public who consumed raw produce or unwrapped food that was not further cooked and was purchased from the store, located at 6435 Metral Drive, on specific dates in the past two weeks.
Island Health Public Health recommends people who consumed raw produce or unwrapped food, purchased from the Nanaimo Superstore location during the following dates and times, should receive hepatitis A vaccine as a precaution:
- Feb 25: late afternoon and evening
- Feb 26: afternoon and evening
- Feb 27: late afternoon and evening
- Mar 1: all day
- Mar 4: evening
Customers who used the self-checkout are not considered to be at risk.
This alert applies only to the Nanaimo Superstore location and no other Superstore outlets.
Drop-in immunization clinics for the Nanaimo Superstore employees and eligible members of the public will take place on:
Saturday, March 7, 2015
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Beban Park Social Centre
2300 Bowen Rd., Nanaimo
Sunday, March 8, 2015
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10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Real Canadian Superstore
6435 Metral Drive, Nanaimo
Monday, March 9, 2015
2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Real Canadian Superstore
6435 Metral Drive, Nanaimo
More clinics will also be held in the next few days at times still to be determined. Island Health will have the latest information posted on their website.
Anyone who lives outside the Nanaimo area and who is eligible for the vaccine should attend one of the Nanaimo clinics, or contact their local Public Health Unit to arrange immunization at their local health unit.
The hepatitis A vaccine can prevent infection from the virus when given within 14 days of exposure. However, people who have had hepatitis A in the past, or previously received two doses of the vaccine, are protected and will not need further vaccination.
For food-related exposures like this, one dose of vaccine is recommended to prevent disease.
“We don’t see many cases of hepatitis A on the Island and even fewer where the person works in a job with the potential to expose large numbers of people like this,” said Dr. Paul Hasselback, Island Health Medical Health Officer for Central Vancouver Island. “Both the individual and the Superstore facility have been cooperating fully to make sure the public is protected and we are grateful for their support.”
Everyone who consumed unpackaged food from the Nanaimo Superstore during these days should be aware of the symptoms of hepatitis A, which include fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. These symptoms are followed a few days later by dark-coloured urine, light-coloured stools and jaundice (yellow eyes/skin).
Anyone who develops these symptoms should stay home from school, work, daycare or other activities and avoid preparing food for others. They should also contact their doctor or HealthLink BC by dialing 811. Symptoms usually occur 15 to 50 days after exposure.
Individuals who still have produce that is eaten raw or foods that were not wrapped when purchased at the Nanaimo Superstore location at the above times should not consume these items and should dispose of them immediately. Please do not return items to Superstore.
Island Health says the public can be assured that it is safe to purchase and consume food from the Nanaimo Superstore location, as well as other Superstore locations.
More information can be found at www.viha.ca/mho/disease/hepA.htm.
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