PARAGOULD, Ark. — Officials are again warning residents of a northeast Arkansas town of a possible hepatitis A exposure after an employee at a barbecue restaurant tested positive for the liver disease.
The state Health Department said Monday that anyone who ate at Ironhorse Barbeque in Paragould between July 25 and Aug. 10 should seek vaccination. Officials also advised all residents of Greene County ages 19 to 60 to get vaccinated.
The department says the restaurant encouraged employee vaccination before this potential exposure, and there is no risk at the restaurant now.
The department also updated the number of reported hepatitis A cases in northeast Arkansas since February to 85, including one death — up from 80 last Tuesday.
Hepatitis A is contagious but almost always curable. Symptoms include fever, nausea and jaundice.
