‘Very low risk’ of hepatitis A spread to customers at Hunt Club Tim Hortons

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is asking those who are feeling off to monitor for symptoms of hepatitis A if they recently were at a Tim Hortons on Hunt Club Road.

According to a press release, there was a possible exposure of the virus at the store at 372 Hunt Club Rd. Health officials say there was an employee confirmed to have it, but there is a low risk to customers.

Hepatitis A is a virus that spreads from person to person by the fecal-oral route, which means it spreads from the feces of an infected person to the mouth of another. OPH said this can happen when a person doesn’t wash their hands well before preparing food or if the food or water is contaminated.

Out of an abundance of caution, OPH is asking the public to monitor for signs and symptoms if they visited the location between Nov. 15 and Dec. 8. People are being asked to monitor for 50 days.

Signs and symptoms of hepatitis A:

• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Feeling generally unwell
• Yellow skin and eyes
• Pale stools
• Dark urine

“Risk to patrons is considered to be very low because of the food service establishment’s proper attention to hygiene and safe food preparation,” the health agency said.

Tim Horton told CityNews in a statement that it is working with the health agency.

“Guests’ health and safety is our top priority. While Ottawa Public Health says the risk to the public is ‘very low,’ the restaurant owner continues to work closely with officials and is following all their guidance,” the statement reads. “The investigation suggests that the illness was contracted outside the restaurant, most likely while the individual was on vacation outside the country.”

Infections can happen in relation to imported produce and returning travellers who were not immune and exposed to the virus.

Those who are infected could feel ill 15 to 50 days after being exposed. Adults are more likely to have symptoms than children. There is no treatment for hepatitis but most people will recover, however, OPH says it could cause serious liver damage.

“The most effective ways to prevent contracting hepatitis A is to be vaccinated against it (especially before travel) and to practice good hand washing, particularly after using the bathroom and before preparing food or eating, and to seek safe food and drink when travelling,” health officials said.