Indiana: 2,600 Get Hepatitis Shots After Eating at Pizzeria

The news that a Fort Wayne Pizza Hut employee had been diagnosed with hepatitis A prompted more than 2,600 people to receive preventative treatment this weekend.

According to the Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health, anyone who dined in, carried out or ordered food from the Pizza Hut at 5735 Coventry Lane August 3-19 may have been exposed to the virus. The department provided free shots for patrons who ate food from the restaurant August 12-19. Those who ate before August 12 would not benefit from the injection; they are advised to seek medical attention if symptoms develop.

The State Department of Health obtained enough immune globulin for 5,000 injections, said Dr. Deborah McMahan, county health commissioner. The cost of the first shipment of 3,100 doses was $111,000. Pizza Hut has offered to pay for the shots and clinic staffing, said Chris Fuller, company manager. At a clinic set up at Allen County Fairgrounds, 1,457 people were treated Saturday, and 1,154 were treated Sunday. A clinic will be held Tuesday at Indiana University-Purdue University-Fort Wayne, and another is planned during the week. For information, telephone 260-449-7105.

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