South Jersey Olive Garden Worker Tests Positive For Hepatitis

Update: This article now includes a statement from Olive Garden.

DEPTFORD, NJ — An Olive Garden food handler tested positive for Hepatitis A, officials announced Thursday.

The employee worked while infected at the Deptford location (1500 Almonesson Rd.) from Dec. 26-30, according to the Gloucester County Health Department. They have a customer-facing job and last worked 10 days before they were diagnosed, said an Olive Garden spokesperson.

They will not return to work until officially cleared by a doctor, the restaurant chain says. Olive Garden has been working with health officials and is not aware of any other employees or patrons becoming ill. (Read Olive Garden's full statement below.)

Those who previously received the Hepatitis A vaccine are not at risk, officials said. But the health department advised unvaccinated diners to get the vaccine.

"For unvaccinated individuals, while the risk is low, it is not absent," the health department said. "The risk may be further lowered by receiving the Hepatitis A vaccine within two weeks of exposure. Therefore, if you have not been vaccinated and believe you may have been exposed, it's essential to follow up with your healthcare provider."

Health personnel are working to provide vaccination to unvaccinated workers who were potentially exposed.

Deptford's Olive Garden received a satisfactory rating after the county health department inspected the facility March 17. The restaurant received another satisfactory rating following Wednesday's re-inspection.

"Gloucester County Department of Health continues collaborating with the Olive Garden as they continue to maintain proper protocols," the health department said.

Hepatitis A is a viral illness. Symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, tiredness, poor appetite, jaundice and dark urine. The symptoms generally appear 2 to 7 weeks after exposure, health officials said.

Illness can be prevented or reduced through vaccination within two weeks of exposure. Hepatitis A vaccine can be obtained from your health care provider or at a pharmacy if you have a prescription. Individuals should schedule an appointment with their health care provider or pharmacy, officials said.

Residents with questions or concerns can call 856-218-4151 or visit the Gloucester County Health Department's website.

A spokesperson for Olive Garden said the following:

"The health and safety of our guests and team members is our number one priority. The ill front-of-house team member last worked 10 days before they were diagnosed and will not be permitted to return to work until being officially released by a doctor.

While Hepatitis A is not easily transmitted from one person to another, we’ve been working closely with the health department to ensure we have all of the right processes in place to protect our team members and our guests. We are not aware of any other team members or guests becoming ill.

We place the highest priority on having the cleanest and safest restaurants in the restaurant industry. Across the country, many local health departments point to our standards as a model for other companies to follow."