Taking No Chances Rustler’s Roost Patrons Immunized Against Hepatitis A Outbreak
The good news for Woody McEvers was that hundreds lined up Saturday morning in a showing of his restaurant’s popularity.
The bad news? That long line of Rustler’s Roost patrons wound outside the Panhandle Health District office, where they were immunized against a hepatitis A outbreak. Health officials recommend immunization for people who ate at Rustler’s Roost on Sherman Avenue between April 1 and April 10.
Despite the off-chance of getting sick, many longtime patrons joked with McEvers while waiting for immune globulin injections.
One customer staggered outside the health district office, holding his hands a foot apart to show McEvers the size of the needle used.
As Kathy Tice stood in line far outside the building, she demanded: “Hey Woody, where’s the free coffee while I’m waiting?” She said she was heading to Rustler’s Roost after getting her shot.
Jokes diminished, however, in proportion to time spent in line - nearly an hour for some people.
“It’s a weird way to see your customers,” McEvers said. “It’s been amazing … this is a serious thing, but I expected much worse than this.”
Not that anyone’s taking the matter lightly. The liver infection’s symptoms last up to two weeks and include appetite loss, vomiting, abdominal pain and fever.
A Rustler’s Roost employee who contracted the illness still is sick - and so remorseful that she offered her paycheck to fund immunizations. That’s not happening, McEvers said, although Rustler’s Roost is paying for the shots.
Health district officials early Saturday worried about running out of immune globulin, but did not.
As many as 3,500 patrons were expected to need shots. Health specialist Steve McMillan said the district had only enough immune globulin for 1,600 people.
A second immunization clinic is planned Wednesday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Panhandle Health District Office, 2195 Ironwood Court.
Two hepatitis A cases unrelated to the restaurant have been reported in Kootenai County within the last two weeks, McMillan said. Thorough hand washing is the best way to stop the spread of hepatitis A.