DHEC vaccinates more than 3,700 to help prevent spread of hepatitis A in Upstate
September 23, 2015
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) today announced it has provided 3,706 vaccinations through its hepatitis A vaccine clinics in Spartanburg and Greenville. Vaccinations are being offered to individuals who might have been exposed to hepatitis A at two Hardee’s restaurants located in Spartanburg County. The restaurants are located at 12209 Greenville Highway in Lyman and 1397 E. Main St. in Duncan.
DHEC’s Spartanburg and Greenville county health departments will continue to provide post-exposure treatments Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., through September 29, 2015. Customers and staff who consumed food or drink at either of these two restaurants between the dates of Aug. 31 and Sept. 15, 2015, and Sept. 1 and Sept. 13, 2015, respectively, could have been exposed to the hepatitis A virus. A single dose of the hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for this type of exposure.
There is no cost for this vaccination while DHEC clinics are open and running due to this incident. The last day in which the vaccine is beneficial is two weeks (14 days) after the last possible exposure, which was Sept. 15. Therefore, people will be able to receive the vaccine free of charge at our clinics until Sept. 29.
Customers and staff who, as of today, ate at the Lyman-area restaurant between Sept. 8 and Sept. 15, 2015, or the Duncan-area restaurant between Sept. 8 and Sept. 13, 2015, should receive post-exposure treatment for hepatitis A.
As of today, customers and staff who ate at the restaurants between Aug. 31 and Sept. 7 are not likely to benefit from post-exposure treatment. Anyone who ate at these Hardee’s restaurants between these dates should watch for symptoms of infection, such as nausea, vomiting, and jaundice, which is yellowing of the eyes and skin. Seek medical care if symptoms develop.
The agency also received 870 calls through its hotline (1-800-868-0404) from the public.
Information resulting from this investigation will be provided as it is confirmed, and in accordance with state and federal law.
For more information about hepatitis A, visit www.scdhec.gov/HepA .
