People who ate at The Mustard Seed Restaurant, 31 E Main St., Fredonia, between April 1 and May 19 were potentially exposed to hepatitis A. Most people do not get sick when an employee at a restaurant has hepatitis A, but there is still a risk. People who may have been exposed should receive treatment to prevent infection.

“While the risk of hepatitis A infection is low, we must act prudently to prevent the spread of this very contagious disease,” said Christine Schuyler, County Public Health Director. “Anyone who may have eaten at this restaurant during this timeframe should check their immunization status and if not already vaccinated against hepatitis A, come to our free clinic this Saturday or visit their healthcare provider if they are experiencing symptoms.”

As a result of this potential hepatitis A exposure, the Chautauqua County Health Department is advising anyone who ate food at or consumed takeout food from the restaurant between May 8 and May 19 to receive a free hepatitis A vaccine Saturday, May 22 at a clinic planned by the department. The clinic will be held at SUNY Fredonia’s Steele Hall, 280 Central Ave., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The hepatitis A vaccine or immune globulin is only effective within two weeks of exposure to the virus. People who ate at The Mustard Seed Restaurant between May 8 and May 19 (and have not been previously vaccinated against hepatitis A) should receive the hepatitis A vaccine or immune globulin as soon as possible. Walk-ins and pre-registration for the clinic are both acceptable. Visit chqgov.com or http://bit.ly/hepa52121 to pre-register. Please bring your driver’s license or another form of identification.

Those who ate at The Mustard Seed Restaurant between April 1 and May 7 may have been exposed, but the hepatitis A vaccine given this weekend will not prevent infection from this exposure. These persons are encouraged to monitor themselves and their families for symptoms for 50 days after consuming the food.

Symptoms may include: fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark-colored urine, clay-colored stools, joint pain, or jaundice. If you have any symptoms, contact your healthcare provider and be sure to tell them that you may have been exposed to hepatitis A.

The owner and staff at The Mustard Seed Restaurant have been very cooperative and have complied with all recommendations from the state and local health department. Chautauqua County Health Department staff conducted a thorough inspection of the restaurant, and cleared them to reopen on Thursday. There is no risk to eating there at this time.

If you have questions, you may call the Chautauqua County Health Department at 866-604-6789. Visit the New York State Department of Health (http://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/hepatitis/) or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hav/afaq.htm) websites for disease-specific information about Hepatitis A.