Hepatitis A Exposure At King Soopers In Wheat Ridge, Colorado

ARVADA, CO — The Jefferson County Public Health department, in conjunction with the Colorado Department of Public Health, has identified a positive case of hepatitis A at a King Soopers grocery store located at 5301 W. 38th Avenue in Wheat Ridge.

The health department is advising the public about potential exposure to the disease. According to a news release, the employee who tested positive works as a food handler at the store, and the disease could potentially spread to anyone who eats food the employee handled.

"Consumers may be at risk of exposure if they purchased AND consumed deli meats and/or cheeses sliced onsite at the deli (or consumed onsite-prepared sandwiches containing deli meats and/or cheeses) from this King Soopers location," the news release said. "The affected dates of purchase are March 20-30, 2022."

The health department advises that those who are at risk of exposure should make sure they are fully vaccinated against hepatitis A while monitoring potential symptoms, which could include fever, Jaundice, gastrointestinal symptoms, dark-colored urine and clay-colored stool.

The virus, according to the news release, can have an incubation period of up to 50 days and is transmissible for up to two weeks before and after symptoms begin.

"The good news is that infection with hepatitis A can largely be prevented even after direct exposure, through vaccination or, when indicated, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)," said Melanie Rogers, RN, MPH, epidemiologist and lead infectious disease investigator at JCPH. "Our department, in collaboration with other local public health agencies in neighboring communities, will be offering hepatitis A vaccines and PEP at no cost to those who think they may have been exposed. If you think you may be at risk, we encourage you to visit one of the available walk-in clinics."

Hepatitis A vaccination and PEP walk-in clinic locations:

Jefferson County Public Health

645 Parfet Street, Lakewood, CO 80215

• Thursday, April 7 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Friday, April 8 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Tri-County Health Department

122nd Avenue #200, Westminster, CO 80234

• Thursday, April 7th: 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
• Thursday, April 7th: 1:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
• Friday, April 8th: 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
• Tuesday, April 12th: 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
• Tuesday, April 12th: 1:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m.

Public Health Institute at Denver Health

660 N. Bannock Street, Pavilion L — 2nd Floor, Denver, CO 80204

• Thursday, April 7 from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
• Friday, April 8 from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.