Restaurant Workers Told To Wear Gloves

After two new cases of hepatitis A in a week, health officials have ordered Kootenai County restaurant and day-care workers to wear gloves when handling ready-to-eat foods.

A similar order issued for Bonner County on Jan. 20 is still in effect.

Five cases of the illness have been reported in Kootenai County since Jan. 1. The most recent was reported Monday.

Bonner County has reported 21 cases since November. No new cases have surfaced since March 15.

Tuesday’s order will last five months, said Steve McMillan, from the Panhandle Health District. It applies to workers handling sandwiches, salads and other ready-to-eat foods.

Hepatitis A is a liver infection transmitted through a fecal virus.

Symptoms include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. The skin may turn yellow.

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