Doctor says not to fear eating out amid hepatitis A outbreak

Another new case of hepatitis A in Boyd County has many concerned about eating out after a food service employee was diagnosed.

We have heard about precautions to prevent the spread of the disease, like frequent hand washing and getting a vaccination. But how likely is it that you will contract hepatitis A from eating at a restaurant where a food handler was diagnosed?

An infectious disease specialist hopes to ease fears of eating out.

Dr. Martin Gnoni, an Infectious Disease Specialist with Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital in Ashland, says if everyone gets a vaccine, there is almost zero risk of contracting hepatitis A. He also says a foodborne illness is extremely unlikely in the United States.

"The only possibility of transmission is if the employee is having active diarrhea and has poor sanitary hygiene’s, doesn't wash his or her hands and he's handling food," said Dr. Gnoni.

Dr. Gnoni says there have been 629 cases of hepatitis A reported in Kentucky, however, we tend to only hear about those working in food.

"You can find a doctor with hepatitis A, we're part of the community, it doesn't mean that I got it from the hospital. A food handler is part of the community, it doesn't mean he got it in the actual restaurant,” explained Dr. Gnoni. “You don't have to change your way of life. If you like to go out with your family to different restaurants, just keep doing it. Just follow the recommendations. And the restaurants are following the recommendations."