DENVER—A produce handler at a Littleton Albertsons who tested positive for hepatitis A could have spread the virus for a longer period than outlined by health officials, KUSA-TV reported Thursday.
Health officials previously said customers who ate certain fruits and vegetables from the store between April 6 and April 19 faced a low risk of exposure and advised them to get vaccinated.
But a KUSA-TV review of the case’s timeline and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention standards show the worker was in the infectious stage of the virus dating back to mid-March.
A Tri-County Health Department official acknowledged that the agency didn’t notify customers of the exposure risk dating back that far. But he said customers infected during that time couldn’t be treated with the shots being offered.
“We were trying to come up with a positive statement,” Dr. Richard Vogt, executive director of the department, which covers Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas counties.
He added that health officials “did everything in our power to come up with a program that would prevent as many infections as possible.”
The employee returned to work at the store at West Bowles and South Platte Canyon Road this week. Following questions from a reporter Wednesday, Vogt ordered the worker to refrain from handling food until more blood tests are done.
Vogt said customers who bought produce from the store in March and are showing symptoms of hepatitis A should seek medical treatment. The liver infection can cause fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal discomfort, dark urine, gray or white stools, and jaundiced eyes and skin. Symptoms typically show up about three weeks after infection.
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Information from: KUSA-TV,
