Food Workers In Sandpoint Must Wear Gloves Sandpoint

Health officials here have ordered all food service workers to wear disposable plastic gloves to help stop an outbreak of hepatitis A.

This month, the Panhandle Health District has confirmed 10 cases of the virus which can cause severe flu-like symptoms.

Nearly all of the cases have been linked to one day-care center. The virus was likely spread by workers changing diapers and then handling food before washing their hands, health officials said.

“There are no cases associated with any food establishments in Bonner County,” said Panhandle Health District nurse Brenda Swenson. “The glove order is strictly a precautionary measure.”

The order could remain in effect for four months, Swenson said, adding it will depend on the number of new cases confirmed.

The health district said it will likely perform spot checks at restaurants to make sure the gloves are being used.

“We aren’t going to get around to everybody so it is basically going to be on the honor system,” Swenson said.

Some grocery store delis and school cafeteria workers already use the gloves, and Swenson doesn’t expect compliance to be a problem.

“The public is going to be looking to see if people are wearing the gloves, so I think that will really carry some weight,” she said.

Hepatitis A is a less serious strain of the virus than hepatitis B, which can cause liver damage. Hepatitis A is most often spread after contact with fecal matter, usually by a worker using the bathroom, not washing his hands and then handling food.

The virus has an incubation period of 15-50 days; symptoms may not surface for two weeks. Symptoms include fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.