Urgent Alert: Hepatitis A Case Linked to Milwaukee Restaurant! Get Vaccinated Now!

In a concerning development, the Milwaukee Health Department has confirmed a case of Hepatitis A associated with an employee at the popular local restaurant, Beans & Barley. The employee was active at the establishment from October 31 to November 13, leading health officials to issue a public health advisory and urgent vaccination efforts.

To protect those who may have been exposed, the health department is providing emergency vaccinations at the Northwest Health Center located at 7630 W. Mill Rd. This vaccination clinic is set to open on Monday at 1 p.m. Current patrons of Beans & Barley can rest easy, as officials indicate that there is currently no ongoing risk from the restaurant.

"Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable illness, and the best method of protection is through vaccination," emphasized Milwaukee Commissioner of Health Mike Totoraitis. He explained that while the risk level associated with this incident is considered low, the health department is treating the situation with appropriate seriousness.

Individuals who dined at Beans & Barley during the aforementioned exposure period are strongly urged to seek vaccination within 14 days if they have not previously received two doses of the Hepatitis A vaccine.

Vaccination options also extend beyond the health center; local pharmacies, primary care providers, and walk-in immunization clinics also offer the vaccine.

For those unfamiliar, Hepatitis A is a contagious liver infection that can spread via person-to-person contact or consumption of contaminated food and water. Symptoms can appear anywhere from two to seven weeks following exposure and may include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, stomach pain, and jaundice.

To mitigate the spread of Hepatitis A, health experts recommend the following precautions: - Practice thorough hand washing, particularly after using the bathroom or before handling food. - Avoiding close contact with individuals who are infected, especially for those who are unvaccinated.

For additional information, individuals can visit the Milwaukee Health Department's official website or contact them directly at 414-286-6800. Further resources on Hepatitis A are also available through the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website.

Don't take this lightly—If you've visited Beans & Barley recently, make sure to get protected!