The T.A. Travel Centre at 535 Mill St. in Woodstock. Photo from Google Maps.
By Miranda ChantAugust 27, 2019 1:28pm
Public health officials are warning those who ate at a truck stop in Woodstock earlier this month that they may have been exposed to Hepatitis A.
Southwestern Public Health announced on Tuesday that a food service worker at the TA Travel Centre’s restaurant at 535 Mill Street has tested positive for Hepatitis A. As a result, anyone who dined at the establishment off Highway 401 between August 6 and August 22 may have also come into contact with the virus.
“Unfortunately, an individual may have hepatitis A and not know it. That is what occurred in this situation,” said Elaine Reddick, manager of infectious diseases at Southwestern Public Health. “The food service worker handled food in the restaurant, so this communication is relevant to anyone who ordered off the menu in the restaurant or ordered take out. It does not apply to those who purchased prepared foods at the convenience store or ate from the buffet.”
Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by the Hepatitis A virus. Symptoms can take up to 50 days to appear and include fever, stomach pain, dark urine, nausea and vomiting, tiredness, loss of appetite, jaundice, and clay or ash-coloured bowel movements. Hepatitis A is usually spread by consuming food or water contaminated with the virus or through close contact with someone who is already infected.
Public health officials are asking anyone within Oxford County, Elgin County, and St. Thomas who ate at the TA’s restaurant during the above-noted dates to contact the health unit’s dedicated hepatitis A line at 1-800-922-0096 ext. 5. The health unit is open weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Those who reside outside of the Oxford and Elgin are advised to call their local health care provider or public health unit.
Three immunization clinics specific to the potential Hepatitis A exposure will be held at the health unit’s office at 410 Buller St. in Woodstock from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Friday.
