McDonald's restaurant in New York City sued after exposing diners to Hepatitis A

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The Seneca County Health Department has confirmed a case of hepatitis A in a food service worker at a McDonald's restaurant in Waterloo, New York on Nov 13. And now, one of the diners has filed a lawsuit against the operator citing exposure to the virus that can result to contagious liver infections.

The class action lawsuit was filed against Jascor, Inc., which owns the McDonald's on Mound Road. There could be more than a thousand plaintiffs in the class-action status, according to Reuters.

There is a possibility that a food service worker with hepatitis A can spread the infection by contaminating the food, drinks, utensils and dishes, especially when the person did not wash his or her hands after a visit to the toilet.

The public health officials assured the people that there is a low risk of contracting hepatitis A, but have also taken the right measure by asking those who do not have vaccines against the virus and were able to consume food and/or drinks from the Waterloo McDonalds' restaurant on Nov. 2, 3, 5, 6 and 8 to seek for treatment.

The Seneca County Health Department is now setting up clinics to provide preventive treatment for those who might have been at risk from the possible exposure at the restaurant. There will be available hepatitis A vaccines free of charge from these clinics scheduled on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 1-8 p.m. EST, and on Sunday, Nov. 15, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST, at the Mynderse Academy Gymnasium, 105 Troy St., Seneca, NY, FoodSafetyNews wrote.

According to Mayo Clinic, the hepatitis A virus is one of the several types of hepatitis viruses that cause inflammation and affect the liver's ability to function. The virus can be contracted from contaminated food and water or from close contact with someone who is already infected with the disease.

There are vaccines available for those who are most at risk while mild cases of hepatitis A do not really need treatment, and most patients who are infected are able to recover completely with no permanent liver damage. It is still best to practice good hygiene, such as washing your hands frequently, to protect yourself from hepatitis A.

Although, not all those who have the disease can manifest symptoms, the signs to watch out for, which may only appear after getting infected by the virus for a few weeks, are jaundice or the yellowing of the skin and eyes, clay-colored bowel, dark urine, fatigue, abdominal pain or discomfort at the part of your abdomen where the liver is located, loss of appetite, joint pains, nausea and vomiting.