ASHLAND — A food service employee at Callihan’s American Pub and Grill was diagnosed with hepatitis A Tuesday, according to a public health advisory from the Ashland-Boyd County Health Department.
Callihan’s is the ninth restaurant in the Ashland area to be investigated for hepatitis A cases. The restaurant voluntarily closed after notification of the confirmed case for disinfection of the facilities, and any employee who has not been vaccinated for hepatitis A will be required to get the vaccination before returning to work.
The investigation found the risk of restaurant patrons becoming infected is very low. Hepatitis A has not been found to be in food from restaurants during this outbreak.
The ABCHD recommends strict handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to be practiced prior to eating or after using the restroom or touching heavily used objects such as door handles, as the disease is transmitted from person to person. Hand sanitizer does not kill hepatitis A.
The ABCHD recommends all residents in Boyd County seek hepatitis A vaccination.