CLARKSTON, Mich. (WWJ) -- The Oakland County Health Department says one person is confirmed to have tested positive for hepatitis A after an exposure at Pine Knob Music Theatre.
Leaders are urging anyone who visited Pine Knob’s Ivy Lounge between Saturday, Aug. 26, and Friday, Sept. 8. to get vaccinated against hepatitis A.
Oakland County Medical Director Dr. Russell Faust says thousands of people were potentially exposed to hep A at the venue.
"This is a lounge, and it's not a small lounge, like I would think of a lounge," Fayst told WWJ Newsradio 950's Luke Sloan. "Something like a thousand people per night go through that VIP lounge, and that person was there on those evenings; so they were potentially exposed to someone with hepatitis A."
Concerts under the vaccination advisory include Jason Aldean, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Foreigner, Rob Zombie, and Smashing Pumpkins.
The doctor stressed that it is crucial that these people get vaccinated, as it may be not be too late to prevent yourself from getting sick.
"We know that it's one of those pretty infectious viruses, and isn't really something that we have great treatments for. The best treatment is prevention." Faust said. "And we also know that during the incubation period, which is about two weeks, we can prevent somebody getting infected."
Hepatitis A is an infection of the liver caused by a virus that is shed in feces. It's most commonly spread if a person who has the virus does not wash their hands properly after using the bathroom and before preparing or touching food. Symptoms of infection may include sudden abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, headache, dark urine, and/or vomiting often followed by yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice).
Symptoms may appear from 14-50 days after exposure, with an average of about one month.
To reduce the risk of contracting hepatitis A:
- Wash hands frequently, especially after using the bathroom, changing diapers, and before preparing and eating food. Rub hands vigorously with soap and warm running water for at least 20 seconds. Handwashing is essential and one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of infection.
- Clean and disinfect all surface areas if someone in the household or workplace has symptoms, especially areas such as toilets, sinks, trashcans, doorknobs, and faucet handles.
- Do not prepare food if you have symptoms and refrain from food preparation for at least three days after symptoms have ended, or two weeks after onset of clinical symptoms, whichever is longer.
- Get the hepatitis A vaccine. It is available through some health care providers, Health Division offices and many pharmacies. Call ahead to ensure your health care provider or pharmacy has the vaccine available.
Health Division offices are located at:
- North Oakland Health Center, 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Building 34 East, Pontiac
- South Oakland Health Center, 27725 Greenfield Road, Southfield
More information about hepatitis A can be found on the Health Division’s website at oakgov.com/health or by contacting Nurse on Call at 800-848-5533 or noc@oakgov.com. Regular Nurse on Call hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.