Australian cafe reopened after Hepatitis A alert

Health authorities sanitized a Noosa cafe for five hours after an employee triggered a Hepatitis A alert.

beach-chalet-sunriseQueensland Health is urging anyone who dined out or used the toilet at the Beach Chalet Shop at Sunrise Beach between October 10 and November 1 to see a doctor.

People can be vaccinated within two weeks of exposure to the virus to reduce the risk of developing Hepatitis A.

Despite the highly contagious nature of the disease, Beach Chalet Shop owner Ivan Mather said the whole thing had been blown out of proportion.

“This will blow over,” he said. “Because it is just ridiculous.”

Two days ago, Mr Mather said he was advised over the phone by a state nurse that the employee had contracted Hepatitis A.

The employee no longer works at the cafe.

Mr Mather said he voluntarily closed the shop.

“I want to make that clear. I did it voluntarily,” he said.

He said Noosa Council health department staff was satisfied the cafe could be re-opened for business.

“They were here for four to five hours, supervising and sanitizing,” he said.

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About Douglas Powell

A former professor of food safety and the publisher of barfblog.com, Powell is passionate about food, has five daughters, and is an OK goaltender in pickup hockey. Download Doug’s CV here. Dr. Douglas Powell editor, barfblog.com retired professor, food safety 3/289 Annerley Rd Annerley, Queensland 4103 dpowell29@gmail.com 61478222221 I am based in Brisbane, Australia, 15 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time