Toronto health officials released a warning yesterday that customers at a food kiosk in Union Subway station may have recently been exposed to Hepatitis A.
Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection that's contracted through contaminated food, water, or from close contact with a person or object that's infected. Symptoms don't appear for a few weeks after being infected.
According to the statement, an employee at the Calii Love kiosk in the subway station has recently tested positive for the viral infection. They say that anyone who purchased food from the kiosk between the hours of 11 AM to 4 PM from May 14th to 29th, or on June 8th and 9th, should watch for symptoms.
Health officials say that the employee likely contracted the virus while travelling to another country.
Free Hepatitis A vaccinations are being held at Toronto's Metro Hall today from 3 PM to 7 PM, and tomorrow from 12 PM to 6 PM.
According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of Hepatitis A include:
- Fatigue
- Sudden nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal pain or discomfort
- Loss of appetite
- Low-grade fever
- Dark urine
- Joint pain
- Yellowing of the skin and the whites of your eyes (jaundice)
- Intense itching
Officials say that, even for those who may have eaten at the kiosk on those days, the risk for contracting the infection is low. But, it's important to take extra precautions.