According to the Mecklenberg County Health Department and the Public Health Authority of Cabbarrus County, a bartender was confirmed ill with hepatitis A. Those at risk of exposure to the hepatitis A virus ate at the Hooters restaurant on February 7 or 8 between 10:30 am and 5 pm or ate or drank at the Whiskey Warehouse on February 6 between 5:30 pm and 7:30 pm, February 9 between 4:30 pm and 3:30 am, or February 13 between 7 pm and 8:30 pm.
Anyone who was potentially exposed to the hepatitis A virus after eating at either restaurant and who has not been vaccinated against hepatitis A was urged to receive a vaccination within 14 days of exposure. Mecklenberg and Cabbarrus County health officials scheduled walk-in clinics where patrons of the restaurants could receive hepatitis A vaccines within that 14-day window.
Symptoms of Hepatitis A infection usually appear 2 to 7 weeks after exposure and may include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, pale colored stools and dark urine. Jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and eyes, may occur a few days after symptoms appear. Symptoms usually last one to two weeks but can last longer.