Customers at 2 local restaurants warned of potential hepatitis A infection

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Customers at two restaurants, in Mecklenburg County and Cabarrus County, are being warned of a potential hepatitis A infection.

Officials with the Mecklenburg County Health Department said an employee who works at the Hooters off Bruton Smith Boulevard in Concord and Whiskey Warehouse in Plaza-Midwood in Charlotte went to the hospital with signs of extreme sickness and liver inflammation, like jaundice.

She was confirmed as having hepatitis A on Monday.

Frankie Gunnell was first in line at the Mecklenburg County Health Department Tuesday afternoon to get a hepatitis A vaccine.

"I just got the shot," Gunnell said. "I don't know if it's in my system. I don't know how it works. I don't know if a few weeks down the road, I'm going to get sick."

The virus is contagious and usually spread by eating or drinking items that have been contaminated with the virus or by close personal contact with an infected person.

Health officials say anyone who ate at the Hooters on Feb. 7 or 8 between 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. may have been exposed.

People who ate or drank at Whiskey Warehouse on Feb. 6 between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m., Feb. 9 after 4:30 p.m., or Feb. 13 between 7 and 8:30 p.m. are also at risk.

Gunnell was there the 13th.

"Yeah, that's scary," he said.

Mecklenburg County Health Director Dr. Wynn Mabry said about 250 customers at Whiskey Warehouse may have been exposed.

He said customers of both restaurants and staff should be actively washing their hands at work and should get a vaccine within 14 days.

"Fourteen days is kind of the established rule of thumb for effective protection with the vaccine," Dr. Mabry said.

The general manager of Whiskey Warehouse, Johnnalyn Blais, said she and other managers are notifying customers.

"Their safety is our first priority along with our staff members," she said.

Dr. Mabry said the affected employee is recovering.

Vaccines are free at the Mecklenberg County Health Department and at the Public Health Authority of Cabarrus County.

Those who have had a hepatitis A infection, or one hepatitis A vaccination, are protected from the virus and do not need to take action.

For more information on getting the vaccination, click here.

WSOC