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The employee at the Olive Garden at 1500 Almonesson Road in Deptford, not a resident of Gloucester County, worked while infected between Dec. 26 and Saturday, Dec. 30, according to county Health Department officials.
An Olive Garden spokeswoman said they are not aware of any other employees or guests becoming ill. The infected food handler will not be able to return to work without a doctor's OK, she said.
Hepatitis A is a viral illness with symptoms including abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, tiredness, poor appetite, jaundice and dark urine, according to Annmarie Ruis, a health officer with the county. Symptoms usually appear within two to seven weeks after exposure, she said.
Anyone who previously received a Hepatitis A vaccine is not at risk, Ruis said. Those who are unvaccinated face a low risk, but the risk may be lowered further by getting vaccinated within two weeks of exposure, she said.
Those who are unvaccinated and believe they may have been exposed are encouraged to contact their doctor or healthcare provider, she said.
The county is working with the restaurant to vaccinate potentially exposed co-workers, Ruis said.
The county Health Department conducted full inspections of the restaurant in March 2023 and on Wednesday, Jan. 10, Ruis said. The restaurant received satisfactory ratings in both cases, according to the county.
"The health and safety of our guests and team members is our number one priority," said Brittany Baron, an Olive Garden spokeswoman. "The ill front-of-house team member last worked 10 days before they were diagnosed and will not be permitted to return to work until being officially released by a doctor."
"While Hepatitis A is not easily transmitted from one person to another, we’ve been working closely with the health department to ensure we have all of the right processes in place to protect our team members and our guests," Baron said. "We are not aware of any other team members or guests becoming ill."
"We place the highest priority on having the cleanest and safest restaurants in the restaurant industry. Across the country, many local health departments point to our standards as a model for other companies to follow," Baron said.
“Gloucester County Department of Health is working closely with the New Jersey Department of Health and the restaurant facility to protect the public and prevent further spread of disease,” county officials said in a news statement.
Anyone with questions is asked to call the county at 856-218-4151. Residents may also visit the health department website.
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