The San Francisco Chronicle reports this morning that a single employee’s illness at a single San Jose store propelled Jamba Juice into a high-profile damage control effort Friday as health authorities said thousands of customers might have been exposed to the hepatitis A virus.

Jamba Juice spokeswoman Anne Baker was cited as saying the staffer didn’t contract the virus from the store at 1140 Lincoln Ave. in San Jose or its products. But because it’s possible that the worker distributed virus particles, the store was cleaned and sanitized Wednesday night after the company learned of the worker’s illness.

The virus is found in the feces of infected people, who can deposit it on food or surfaces even if they wash their hands after going to the bathroom. But hand washing is one of the most important measures to prevent contagion.

Don’t serve poop.