Alert for Customers: Gloucester Twp., NJ, Starbucks Employee Tests Positive for Hepatitis A
Health officials in Camden County say a worker at a Starbucks in Gloucester Township has tested positive for hepatitis A and worked at the store during the infectious period of the virus.
The Camden County Health Department says they were notified on Wednesday about the situation and they ordered the store, at 1490 Blackwood-Clementon Road, closed until all employees were vaccinated.
Based on the potential for exposure and out of an abundance of caution, "the Department of Health recommends any member of the public that patronized the Starbucks facility on Nov. 4, 5, 6, 11, 12 and 13 to get the hepatitis A vaccine."
The county is opening a hepatitis A vaccine clinic on Friday from 3 to 7 PM at the Camden County Sustainable Facility at 508 Lakeland Road. It will also be open on Saturday from 9 until 11:30 AM. Vaccine appointments will be made on a first come first serve basis.
In a statement, Camden County Health Officer Paschal Nwako said, "The county health department has been working closely with the patient and the staff at the Starbucks to address the situation. Our highest priority is ensuring everyone involved remains safe and healthy. The patient is not currently working, and close contacts have been identified. We encourage anyone who may believe they were exposed to get vaccinated against hepatitis A by calling the county health department or your primary care physician."
Officials say hepatitis A is usually spread when a person ingests fecal matter, even in microscopic amounts. Signs and symptoms can include fever, fatigue, Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, dark urine, clay-colored bowel movement, joint pain, and/or jaundice. Symptoms surface two to four weeks after exposure, although they can occur two to seven weeks after exposure.
For more information, patrons of that Starbucks can call (856) 549-0530.