A McDonald's franchise in New York is currently facing a class-action lawsuit over possible exposure to hepatitis A.
The lawsuit was filed by a Christopher Welch, one of the diners of the popular fast food restaurant in Waterloo on the days when an employee happened to work despite having hepatitis A. The condition of the employee was confirmed on Nov 13 by Seneca County health officials who conducted the test.
Although the county health department mentioned that the risk of exposure among the diners is low, they are still urging anyone who has eaten or drunk in the restaurant between the days of Nov 2, 3, 5, as well as 6 and 8 to seek treatment. Earlier, they already provided hepatitis A vaccine. According to reports, at least a thousand people could become plaintiffs in this case.
So far, Jascor Incorporated, the operator of the franchise, has not issued any comment.
According to World Health Organization, hepatitis A is a viral disease that affects the liver. Depending on the person's immunity and the degree of virality, the person can develop mild to severe symptoms, which include malaise, loss of appetite, jaundice (yellowing of the whites of the eyes and the skin), pain in the abdomen, fever, and nausea. Usually, these symptoms appear as early as 14 days since the exposure to the virus. Thus, hepatitis A vaccine should be given before two weeks of possible last exposure.
A person is at risk of contracting the virus due to lack of clean or safe water, drug use, and sharing items with someone who has the disease. In the case of McDonald's, the employee can spread the illness to the customers if he or she didn't thoroughly clean hands after bathroom use or has touched utensils and surfaces utilized by diners.
Although a person with the virus can fully recover, it can take a few weeks to a few months.
