Employee at Birmingham restaurant infected with Hepatitis A

BIRMINGHAM, Mich. (WJBK) - Officials are sending out a warning that people who ate or drank at a Birmingham restaurant in the past few weeks may have been exposed to Hepatitis A.

A food service worker at Social Kitchen and Bar has been found to be infected with Hepatitis A. People who have visited there from July 26 until August 6 are urged to watch for symptoms and contact their healthcare provider. 

Symptoms include a sudden onset of abdominal discomfort, dark urine, fever, diarrhea and yellow skin and eyes.

Health officials in Michigan say time from exposure to onset of illness is typically 15 to 50 days. The illness typically lasts several weeks to several months. Most people will recover without complications. Hepatitis A vaccine or immune globulin (IG) may provide protection against the disease if given within two weeks after exposure

Anyone who develops symptoms of Hepatitis A infection should stay home and contact their healthcare provider. Please call your local health department if you have any questions or require assistance in locating Hepatitis A vaccine or IG. The Oakland Health Division can be reached at 248-848-5533 from Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The exact duties of the Social Kitchen and Bar employee were not given. The food service worker is said to be a resident of Wayne County.

Social Kitchen and Bar is located at 225 E. Maple Road.