UPDATE: Del. Division of Public Health announces possible Hepatitis A exposure at three Delaware restaurants

4/12 UPDATE: The Delaware Division of Public Health announced Friday that potential exposure to Hepatitis A may have occurred at two other Delaware restaurants.

As previously reported, potential exposures may have occurred at the Buffalo Wild Wings located at 540 W. Main Street in Middletown. However, officials say that the exposures may have begun earlier than expected, starting on March 28th and going through the voluntary closure on April 10th.

In addition, patrons of the Buffalo Wild Wings at 1887 Pulaski Highway in Bear may have also been exposed between March 29th and April 12th.

Officials also say that potential exposures at the Stone Balloon at 115 E. Main Street in Newark may have began on March 20th and ended with a cleaning of the facility on April 3rd. We’re told the timing of the cleaning at this facility was not related to the potential exposures, but would have ended the exposure window.

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DOVER, Del. – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) announced on Thursday that employees and visitors of the Buffalo Wild Wings located at 540 W. Main Street in Middletown may have recently been exposed to the Hepatitis A virus.

Officials say that the exposures may have happened between March 31st and April 10th of this year. The establishment voluntarily closed for cleaning and sanitation after learning of the possible exposures on Wednesday, but has since reopened.

DPH says that it is rare for restaurant patrons to become infected with Hepatitis A from a food establishment, however, they are taking steps to protect anyone who may have been exposed to the virus. They are advising anyone who consumed food or drinks at this restaurant between March 31st and April 10th to consider contacting their health care provider for further guidance in reference to the possible exposure, especially those that are experiencing symptoms, have chronic medical conditions, or women who may be pregnant.

Staff members at the restaurant should contact their health care provider to receive post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), which might include the Hepatitis A vaccine or a shot of immune globulin to prevent severe illness.

Those who do not currently have a primary health care provider have the option of visiting a local walk-in medical center (not an emergency room). Those or are uninsured or under-insured should contact one of the following DPH health clinics:

• Porter State Service Center: 509 W. 8th Street in Wilmington; 302-777-2860
• Hudson State Service Center: 501 Ogletown Road in Newark; 302-283-7587
• Kent County Health Unit: River Road in Dover; 302-857-5140
• Sussex County Health Unit: 544 S. Bedford Street in Georgetown; 302-515-3220

If you would like more information on this potential outbreak, you can visit the DE Division of Public Health’s website. More information on Hepatitis A can be found on the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website, or by calling the DPH Office of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at 302-744-4990 or 1-800-282-8672.