Ottawa Public Health asking customers of south Ottawa Tim Hortons to monitor for hep A symptoms

Tim Hortons signage in Ottawa on Sept. 7, 2022. (Sean Kilpatrick / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

Ottawa Public Health is warning residents about a possible risk of exposure to hepatitis A at a local Tim Hortons in the city's south end.

OPH says it is investigating a confirmed case of hepatitis A in an employee at the Tim Hortons at 372 Hunt Club Rd.

While the risk of exposure is described as "very low", OPH recommends all customers who ate or drank any products from this location between Nov. 15 and Dec. 8 to monitor for symptoms of hepatitis A for 50 days. OPH says the risk is considered very low because of the shop's proper attention to hygiene and safe food preparation.

"Any patron who experiences fever, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal pain, feeling generally unwell (malaise), yellow skin and eyes (jaundice), pale stools or dark urine should seek medical assessment," a news release said.

Tim Hortons said in a statement the owner is working with officials and it is believed the initial infection was contracted outside the country.

"Guests’ health and safety is our top priority. While Ottawa Public Health says the risk to the public is “very low,” the restaurant owner continues to work closely with officials and is following all their guidance. The investigation suggests that the illness was contracted outside the restaurant, most likely while the individual was on vacation outside the country," a spokesperson said.

Hepatitis A is a contagious virus that affects the liver. It can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a severe illness that lasts months. Symptoms of hepatitis A appear from 15 to 50 days after coming in contact with the virus, but most often occur within 30 days, OPH says. Children may not show any symptoms.

A blood test is required to determine if someone has contracted hepatitis A.

There is no medication to treat hepatitis A. OPH says most people are sick for about one to two weeks and then recover, while others may develop more serious illness. After recovering from the illness, a person is considered immune and protected against hepatitis A for life.

Hepatitis A typically spreads via contaminated food or water, but it can also spread through sex or by being in close contact with a person who is infected, even if that person has no signs or symptoms of the infection.

More information about hepatitis A is available on Ottawa Public Health's website.