UNION, Mo. (KMOX) - In an effort to contain its largest Hepatitis A outbreak on record, Franklin County is ordering all food handlers in the county to get vaccinated.
The County Commission passed the order this week. It gives restaurants and other food establishments 90 days to have all employees vaccinated. Presiding Commissioner Tim Brinker tells KMOX that while many of the 59 confirmed cases involved I-V drug users and their close associates, some did not.
"We found a few cases that tested positive were indeed folks that were serving food or working in establishments that came into public contact more frequently than most," he says.
Brinker says many establishments have already been proactive in responding to the outbreak. "We've had many, many restaurants volunteer and many chains volunteer to, upon the outbreak itself, they said 'we're getting everyone vaccinated'. We're doing this because A), it protects their interest, but B) and more important, they're protecting the public and people who utilize their service."
The restaurants have 90 days to make sure employees are vaccinated.