Hernando country club worker with hepatitis A may have exposed students at prom

SPRING HILL, Fla. (FOX 13) - A worker at a country club in Spring Hill may have exposed people, including high school students, to hepatitis A.

The Department of Health in Hernando County says someone working in food service at the Silverthorn Country Club Restaurant has tested positive for the disease.

Anyone who has dined there between April 12 and April 30 may have been exposed to the virus.

Both Central and Springstead High Schools may have had their proms at Silverthorn during the dates in question, according to the school's Facebook pages. 

A vaccine can help protect you if you get it within two weeks and the health department is recommending anyone who ate or drank there during those dates should get one. 

DOH-Hernando is also offering the hepatitis A vaccine for free at the Spring Hill location of the Health Department with extended hours May 1-3 and May 6-8 until 7 p.m.

From 2018 through May 1, 2019, there have been 41 confirmed cases of hepatitis A. In Hillsborough, there have been 165 cases. Pasco has reported 267 cases and Pinellas County has seen 319 cases.

Officials in Hernando County said 128 people came to get vaccinated at the health department after the Silverthorn case was announced.

Doctors suggest getting the vaccine if people exhibit the following symptons: fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, light-colored stools, joint pain, and jaundice, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

"Many people with hepatitis do not have symptoms and do not know they are infected. If symptoms occur with an acute infection, they can appear anytime from 2 weeks to 6 months after exposure. Symptoms of chronic viral hepatitis can take decades to develop," according the CDC website.

Anyone with concerns can call the Department of Health in Hernando County at 352-247-6111.