Outbreaks
Hooters and Whiskey Warehouse Hepatitis A Exposure
In late February of 2013, public health officials in North Carolina warned patrons of the Hooters restaurant located on Bruton Smith Boulevard in Concord and the Whiskey Warehouse located at 1221 The Plaza in Charlotte that they had potentially been exposed to the hepatitis A virus after learning that an employee who worked at both restaurants had been diagnosed with the virus.According to the Mecklenberg County Health Department and the Public Health Authority of Cabbarrus County, a bartender was confirmed ill with hepatitis A. Those at risk of exposure to the hepatitis A virus ate at the Hooters restaurant on February 7 or 8 between 10:30 am and 5 pm or ate or drank at the Whiskey Warehouse on February 6 between 5:30 pm and 7:30 pm, February 9 between 4:30 pm and 3:30 am, or February 13 between 7 pm and 8:30 pm.
Anyone who was potentially exposed to the hepatitis A virus after eating at either restaurant and who has not been vaccinated against hepatitis A was urged to receive a vaccination within 14 days of exposure. Mecklenberg and Cabbarrus County health officials scheduled walk-in clinics where patrons of the restaurants could receive hepatitis A vaccines within that 14-day window.
Symptoms of Hepatitis A infection usually appear 2 to 7 weeks after exposure and may include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, pale colored stools and dark urine. Jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and eyes, may occur a few days after symptoms appear. Symptoms usually last one to two weeks but can last longer.
