A food handler at a truck stop in Kentucky has been diagnosed with Hepatitis A. According to state health officials, the worker was ill or infectious for weeks while still handling food. Authorities are warning that anyone who ate at the facility during that time is at risk of having contracted the disease.
According to a press release issued by the Northern Kentucky Department of Health, the unnamed worker was employed at the Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen located within a T/A truck stop. The stop is located off of I-71/75 just South of Cincinnati in Florence, KY.
Department of Health officials say that the employee was working and may have been infectious from March 17th through April 5th. Anyone who consumed food or drink from the T/A Popeyes between those dates is being advised to take precautions.
Top of the list of the health advisory’s recommended precautions is washing hands with soap and warm water frequently, especially after using the bathroom. Since Hepatitis A symptoms can take up to 50 days to appear, an individual can be infected and not know it. If it has been less than two weeks, potentially exposed individuals should get a Hepatitis A vaccine. Otherwise, the Department of Health recommends monitoring yourself of symptoms. If symptoms do develop, it is recommended to stay home and contact a healthcare provider immediately.
According to the health advisory, symptoms of Hepatitis A include “loss of appetite, nausea, tiredness, fever, stomach pain, brown colored urine, light colored stools and diarrhea. Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice) may also appear.”
Hepatitis A is rare in developed countries as it is usually spread when food or drink is contaminated with undetected amounts of stool from an infected person. Even still, Kentucky is having a Hepatitis A outbreak with 4,341 recent confirmed cases so far.
More information on Hepatitis A is available at the Department of Health and Human Services Website.
Source: nkyhealth, cincinnati, wcpo, eaglecountryonline, fox19, wrcbtv, wlwt
David grey says
Sue time!!!!!
Brian Keith Ramsey says
I agree with you 100%.
Cleveland says
oh that’s nasty
Gerardo Ramírez says
The wall doesn’t stop the drugs or any decease. just we need to educate the people , because this is the country with most addictions. think with your brain. Mr Rosser.
Gerardo says
Sometimes when I use the truck stops. some people don’t wash their hands after they use the restroom. and in the store they touch the coffee cup. This is terrible. Take care guys and be safe and God bless you.
Steel Horse and Wooden Mem says
Carry strong hospital grade wipes with you, wipe down toilet seat plunger, etc
Benjamin Cuevas says
Even better use a paper towel to grap the door handle when exiting the restroom.
Wanda Watkins says
I always use my shirt sleeve to open doors after I’ve washed my hands and keep germ X in all vehicles .
Vladimir says
I agree with you. That’s why I never bought anything in the truck-stops. Can’t believe how people go anywhere without clean he’s hands after used the restroom 🚽
R Dominguez says
Damn!…look where all this is going
Vito says
My old lady got the e-coli eating at Popeyes, in Texas, channelview, market Street. Took 7 days and lots of antibiotics.
Donald Barnes says
I didn’t eat there but if I did and I contracted that, I would sue Popeyes. If the staff was handling good properly they wouldn’t have this problem
TexasJester says
Pretty much!
And Popeye’s is pretty nasty – it has high levels of monosodium glutamate (MSG), which is known to cause major health problems in humans.
AP says
Facts: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/monosodium-glutamate/faq-20058196
Context: https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/how-msg-got-a-bad-rap-flawed-science-and-xenophobia/
Beth says
I think what they where saying is. We have all the time now with the big box stores. They get meat from other countries that don’t have the same policy in place. Then you here about a big recall and so many people getting sick
Joanna says
If we had universal healthcare (paid through taxes) What most don’t understand is that we pay for the uninsured now with higher premiums, and with paid sick leave like most countries have this is not as likely to happen.
It’s always the bigots that point fingers instead of real solutions. Oh yes and they blame people like me.
Michael W says
Healthcare has nothing to do with not washing ones hands after the restroom OR handling raw chicken. This is about restaurant cleanliness and personal hygiene.
Paul says
ABSOLUTELY!!
andre says
You are mistaken, what needs to happen is that anybody that wants to work in the food industry, be it waitress ,cook , in a bakery in a slaughter house. Needs to be tested 1st before they even step foot into the establishment and are allowed to handle food . By tested I mean tested for Hepatitis, Salmonella , TB and other diseases .
I know what I’m talking about Certified Chef here apprenticeship in Germany, if my Health test would have come back negative, my name would have been in a registry and I would have never been able to work in any food related business period. Personal hygiene is a given , but here in the USA anybody can walk into a food business and the next day be employed .
The boss says
They are unskilled workers
Jude says
I DEFY you to cite the part of the Constitution of the United States (Article or Amendment and Section) that makes health care an area in which the federal government is allowed to meddle and interfere with mandates that only serve to raise costs for those who pay. Before you ask, the Tenth Amendment prohibits the interference since “health care” is NEVER mentioned.
Bryan Johnson says
Thank you Joanna for being the one to have the most intelligent response.
combil says
Obviously does not work and pay taxes either ! Does the idea of you paying 50% of every dollar you receive in benefits sound fair to you ? That is what Bernie and his bartender minion are proposing as their solution to our health care
Steven Jacquin says
It’s sad drivers are allowed to drive vehicles 80,000 lbs going down the highway but they have no freaking common sense I know I’m a driver and I see him everyday it makes me sad
Royce says
Lol, you don’t actually think that’s the only Popeyes Chicken you can get sick at do you? They ALL cause these same symptoms.
Steven Jacquin says
It’s sad drivers are allowed to drive vehicles 80,000 lbs going down the highway but they have no freaking common sense I know I’m a driver and I see him everyday it makes me sad
Steven Jacquin says
that’s a billion comment???
Big Dog says
Dear Lord I know it’s hard for some but may I ask why you let some of these foolish pea brains carry on
Tonyone15 says
Hi certainly me agree with you on that big dog.
Otr Runner says
The stupidity of these comments don’t have anything to do with what the story is talking about! These type of stupid and ignorant comments are some of the reasons why majority of the general public thinks most truck drivers are not very smart as well as why we continue to be disrespected by Shipper, Recievers, and others in our own industry. Bottom line, If act like we are stupid and ignorant, they treat us truck drivers like we are stupid and ignorant!!!
David Murphy says
I agree
Frank Potz says
Lol..and you can only fake it for so long driver
Benjamin says
I agree with you on that!
Sid says
Most are now days I’m a driver watch what we have getting out of trucks that’s why we have no respect anymore most of them don’t wash hands or take a bath
george says
typical big head, ignorant, brain-washed trucker bs. no wonder our country is not at its’ best. stay closed minded, uniformed and 1 sided opinionated. loyal to a fault. will get worse before better, if thats even possible!
Jude says
You call someone else “ignorant” then type “its’ ” and “uniformed”? Pot, meet kettle.
Victoria Regina Marsh says
LOL – good one, Jude … “Pot, meet kettle.” LOL 🙂
fred hess says
And they also brought many diseases that almost wipe us out! How’s everyone enjoying our bedbug epidemic?
Robert Benoit says
This is why I don’t like the fast food restaurants. The worker probably didn’t wash hands after using the toilet. That’s the easiest way to spread diseases. Wash properly means scrubbing for at least 20 seconds.
Daddy Carl says
I was a fire marshal in a western state. Believe me I was shocked when I first started. The presumption that clean dining areas went hand in hand with clean kitchens stopped me from eating in many places.Be bold just walk into the food preparation area in your favorite restaurant unannounced! What can they do , nothing but tell you to leave. Also remember that there are more employees intentionally contaminating food than you may realize. Ask a young person you know that works in a kitchen. When are nation started turning from GOD we started turning into animals! All of us , every race, every financial level . Good has become bad and bad has become good.
Kirk Wilson says
You Nailed it Carl.
End Times brother….
Zavetta Taylor says
Truth
Darko says
Huh?
Robert Benoit says
1700’s? Might want to go back further than that. 1492 is when exploration started. And I have no idea why people say American Indian. Columbus thought he was in India so he said Indian. They aren’t from India. And by the way anyone born in the USA is American. Not whatever their heritage ancestors are from. Libtards stop drinking the cool aid.
Jerome Landry says
In what year was this epidemic break out?
Matthew M Wayer says
That area of the Country is Meth Central.
I’ll bet if that person takes a whizz quiz,he/she would come up dirty.
The most common cause of hepatitis in the U.S. is sharing dirty needles.
Anthony The Positive Trucker says
The purpose of this article was…is….to Inform drivers about the danger……I’ve seen all types of nasty people not washing hands or body(need bath). So heed the warning was the hope….posting prejudical commentary wasn’t the main intent I’m sure. When the sky bust open and Revelation of the Messiah is at hand..All divisions…all prejudice…all hate… whatever separates us a disease from Satan will be destroyed forever…Pray to Yahweh in the Messiah name Yahawashi…Yeshua….for a heart reflecting Love.
Deaconblues62 says
PSALMS 75 v. 10 !!!
Steve Duggan says
That’s what you get for eating that grossly overpriced garbage
Dennis says
Most expensive chicken you will ever eat.
Suzy says
After I was a trucker, I went on to become a Medical Lab Tech, Hep A is easily prevented with a vaccine. I also went on to be a mom, and was vaccinated for all the Heps. But Hep A is the least of the Heps, if that makes sense. Hep C is the worst because it can go tertiary and destroy your liver.
Bob Hunnicutt says
O thx Suzy u so smart
Steel Horse and Wooden Mem says
And you’re acting like the ignorant fool that most see drivers as being
Benjamin Atwater says
I AGREE with you on that and I was smart enough to see that POS for what he is.
Most fell for his lies and manipulation, and still do.
LOCK HIM UP !!
Jeff Pearson says
And here we have the spelling police out in force..
Karrie Perry says
Wow.. really….I guess I come from a long line of smart people which I didn’t know…. just because it says ” TRUCK STOP” doesn’t mean truckers are the only people who”STOP” there.. have you even been in one..4 wheelers “STOP” there too..
Allen Goyne says
I usually check the dining area for cleanliness. If it looks nasty, if the john is gross and staff seems unconcerned I stay away. He who is faithful in little things will be faithful with much. I’m not driving any more but I remember. I hope this story inspires more folks to eat better. You can do low carb and store food in a cooler or just get cans. It may be boring but it’s better than ‘Poopeyes’. Yuck!
Benjamin Cuevas says
Stay away from truck stops restaurants. Specially the buffets.
Handsome says
Ching ching $$$$$$
Sue time
It’s all everybody want to do now and days they break a nail they want to sue they got a fender bender they want a sue …
My neck
My back
iii-RIGHT-iii says
in this case not the back but
my pooper
my belly
Trucker D says
Too many nasty truckers out there I would say 80 percent don’t wash after they take a crap seen it too many times so this doesn’t surprise me at all
BN says
Drivers have to idle some of these trucks to have heat and ac. That law makes no sense. 👎🙅. Absolute BS. I can see this eventually ending up in court. To repeal this broken law.
combil says
Did you just wake up or what ?
V Kelly-Parker says
Eww
Leon says
I ate there 3/16-3/17 While broke down and ate at Popeyes I hope not
Dwayne says
~ There needs to be a way to delete a job posting after finding a job to keep from getting lots of phone calls ~
Dan says
I thought it tasted like ….
Deaconblues62 says
Sue time, LOL, just what do expect to get out of a franchise?
Especially if Popeyes or the TA has done business before with every Kentucky Attorney in the State.
Arbitration and Conflict of Interest is Red Tape that protects all corporations.
Good Luck.
Deaconblues62 says
Besides this isn’t anything new.
If you choose to do business with a franchise with employees making minimum wage and no real chef 👨🍳 cooking the food, well you’re bound to catch something that isn’t good for you.
Deaconblues62 says
Me So Hungry, Me So Hungry, are you really Hungry or are you just craving for the chemicals that the Monsanto Chemist 👨🔬 have put in your food and drinks? Cargill, ConAgra, everything we eat has junk garbage in it to make it taste good.
Bob Hunnicutt says
lol ..you got infected with a lot more than hep if you ate at TnA..get some of that
Ray says
I got food-poising 3 times in 2 years when I started driving. It’s a risk you take when all of your meals are prepared at a restaurant. Bought myself a portable fridge and went to the grocery store/Wal-mart for fresh food that can be easily stored and fixed in the truck. I would still eat out sometimes but only once a day improves the odds.
Steel Horse and Wooden Mem says
Ditto, used to do the same and so much cheaper
Kevin Chevalier says
There are many ways to get sick not washing your hands # 1 coughing on
someones food, sneezing, and picking their nose, there’s some nasty slobs
in this world a lot of them drive truck, nothing like going to a food bar where
many handle the silverware, Lol!! it ain’t just the fast food joints
Albert says
This is going to be the walking dead
Steel Horse and Wooden Mem says
Simple solution to most of the worrying about the get sick dilemma, go to Walmart and buy good cleaning wipes, keep a small zip lock sandwich bag on you with some wipes inside and wipe down toilet seat, button or plunger and after you leave bathroom, your hands. Can be used on eating utensils too. Keep yourself clean and healthy. Most of these things effect those that don’t eat well, don’t take vitamins or exercise.
Sara says
Employees who don’t wash their hands who don’t wear gloves or hair nets dirty food also means using food that fell onto the floor not washing dishes properly. Unfortunately unsanitary working conditions . And just plain dam ignorance to cleanliness. Most of the time knowing that they are sick and not caring if they infect others.
Silverspur says
It’s time for a national discussion on all the Hepatitis C infected cashiers licking their fingers and putting their Hepatitis C laced spit all over my groceries.
Brian says
Ive ate there OMG
Kp says
Not suprised thatT/S always did suck anyway.
Robin says
Hepatitis A is rare in developed countries, well let’s not talk about the Border
J says
Just wash your damn hands people! Quit being lazy or in a hurry!
Sean says
Germs are a fact of life. I refuse to wash my hands. I love fondling the coffee and soda cups after a good finger through the paper wiping.
Sara says
You are one sick puppy sean
Al says
That is what’s wrong with the world everybody sue happy
Judy Castagno says
We ate there after this date. But I was still concerned enough to call their corporate. According to the supervisor I talked to they take no responsibility , or liability even if you contract the disease .
Windybag says
I was under the impression that it’s mandatory for food handlers to wear food grade gloves, hair nets and facial hair nets as well as freshly clean clothing. When did the laws get relaxed?
Steve Hughart says
If you eat at any TA you might get HEPATITIS they are dirty truck stops anyway I wouldn’t feed my dog at a TA let alone a human.