Wednesday (April 4) marks the last day of vaccines for people who may have come into contact with Hepatitis A from Fairway Markets in Quadra Village.
After a food handler with diagnosed with the disease, the Vancouver Island Health Authority advised two groups of people to get vaccinated as a precaution: employees of the store and customers who consumed non-pre-packaged deli food, purchased March 18, 19, 20, 22, 25 or 26. No other food at the grocery chain has any risk of contamination.
Hep A vaccine and immune globulin can prevent Hep A virus infection, but only when given within 14 days of exposure.
Symptoms include fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, followed a few days later by dark-coloured urine, light-coloured stools and jaundice.
The clinic will operate from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at the Victoria Public Health Unit, 1947 Cook St. High demand for the vaccine over the weekend prompted VIHA to extend the clinic hours.
rholmen@vicnews.com
