Yates County Residents Alert: Possible Hepatitis A Exposure at Local Main Deck Restaurant

A potential Hepatitis A virus exposure has been reported at the Main Deck restaurant in Yates County, New York. The exposure is thought to have happened between March 27 and April 12, 2024. The Yates County Public Health Department advises anyone who dined at the restaurant during this time to verify their immunization status and seek medical attention if needed.

Doug Sinclair, the Public Health Director of Yates County, stressed the need for caution to prevent the disease from spreading. He recommended unvaccinated individuals who might have been exposed to get vaccinated at a free clinic or consult their healthcare provider if they show symptoms.

The Hepatitis A vaccine is effective only within two weeks of exposure. Hence, the health department suggests those who dined at the Main Deck restaurant from April 4 to April 12 to get a free Hepatitis A vaccine on April 18, 2024. The vaccine clinic will operate from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Yates County Office Building.

For those who dined between March 27 and April 3, the vaccine won't prevent infection from this exposure. They should watch for symptoms for 50 days after eating the food. Symptoms can include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, clay-colored stools, joint pain, or jaundice.

The Main Deck's owner and staff have fully complied with the health department's advice. The New York State Health Department has inspected the restaurant thoroughly and approved its reopening. For more Hepatitis A information, individuals can visit the New York State Department of Health website or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

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