The Pasco County Health Department has identified a positive case of hepatitis A in a food service worker at ICON Gentlemen's Club in Hudson.
Everything you need to know about hepatitis A in the Tampa Bay area
The department recommends that anyone who ate or drank at the gentlemen's club between April 24 and May 1 to get the Hep A vaccination.
Patrons who ate or drank anything from the establishment from April 15-23 may also have been exposed to the virus.
DOH-Pasco says the Hepatitis A vaccine or immune globulin (IG) may provide protection against the disease if given within two weeks after exposure.
The news comes on the heels of several other Hep A cases at restaurants in the Tampa Bay area.
3 Pasco County restaurant workers tested positive for Hepatitis A
I-Team uncovers more past cases of Hepatitis A in restaurant workers kept from the public
Worker at Ulele in Tampa tested positive for Hepatitis A but public never told
Unlike other forms of hepatitis, hepatitis A does not cause long-term liver damage and it does not become chronic, according to the Mayo Clinic.
To treat hepatitis A symptoms, doctors usually recommend rest, adequate nutrition and fluids, CDC said. It can take few months for some people to fully recover from hepatitis A.
DOH-Pasco is offering the vaccine at the following locations:
NEW PORT RICHEY
10841 Little Road
New Port Richey, FL 34654
*Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Special hours for hepatitis A vaccine ONLY Thursday, May 9, 2019: 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Friday, May 10, 2019: 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Saturday, May 11, 2019: 8 a.m. - 10 a.m.
DADE CITY
13941 15th Street
Dade City, FL 33525
*Monday - Thursday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
WESLEY CHAPEL
33845 FL-54
Wesley Chapel, FL 33543
*Tuesday & Thursday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
*Friday 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
*If patrons choose to come during normal clinic hours, they may have a longer than usual wait time.
A hotline has been set up for people who may have questions about hepatitis A. The number to call is (727) 619-0400.
ICON released the following statement:
Yesterday afternoon ICON Gentlemen's Club was notified that a former employee of ICON is being treated for Hepatitis A. According to the Health Department, there is no evidence that the former employee contracted the virus at ICON. We have been told is that the person no longer works at ICON Gentlemen's Club.
After a thorough inspection by the Pasco County Health Department and the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Health Inspector, no evidence of Hepatitis A was found in the building.
Our focus at this time is education and immunization.
This afternoon from 4-6, we will be hosting an event to offer free Hepatitis A vaccines for our staff, entertainers, customers, and neighboring residents. We invite everyone in the area, primarily those in the bar or restaurant industry to attend.
ICON will continue to partner with the Health Department to maintain the highest standards of cleanliness and sanitation.
For more information on Hepatitis A and guidelines from the federal government, visit: www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hav/index.htm.
