Metro Public Health Department (MPHD) officials announced today that an individual working at Stirrup, a LGBTQ entertainment venue located at 1529 4th Ave South, has been diagnosed with acute hepatitis A.
While the risk of contracting hepatitis A is low, the Metro Public Health Department is issuing a public notice out of an abundance of caution, and will offer free hepatitis A vaccine to customers who visited Stirrup from July 13 – July 21. MPHD will open a special weekend vaccination clinic July 28 and 29 at the Lentz Public Health Center, and encourages those who were at the location on the identified dates above to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
“There is a small risk that hepatitis A can spread when an infected person serves food or drinks,” said Rachel Franklin, Interim Director of Communicable Disease and Emergency Preparedness . “For this reason, we are notifying the public so that customers who visited Stirrup during the dates when this individual was working can protect themselves.”
MPHD continues an effort to reach three at-risk groups in response to an outbreak of hepatitis A that was announced nearly two months ago. Those at greatest risk of exposure to hepatitis A in the current outbreak include:
- People who use drugs (not just injection drug use)
- Men who have sexual contact with men
- Individuals experiencing homelessness
MPHD Locations:
- Lentz Public Health Center (Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
Special hepatitis A vaccine clinic hours at Lentz July 28 and 29 — 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
2500 Charlotte Ave. 37209 - East Health Center (Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
1015 East Trinity Lane 37206 - Woodbine Health Center (Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
224 Oriel Ave. 37210
MPHD officials have confirmed 60 cases of hepatitis A have occurred in Nashville since December 2017. MPHD continues to work with the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH), as well as other Metro Departments and community organizations in response to the outbreak.
An agreement with Neighborhood Health has been established to provide hepatitis A vaccine to those in the three at-risk groups. Neighborhood Health locations and hours of operation are as follows:
- Downtown Clinic, 526 8th Avenue South (adjacent to the Room in the Inn campus)
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday - Madison Clinic, 601 W. Due West Avenue
8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Monday through Friday and 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday - My House Clinic, 442 Metroplex Dr. Building D, Suite 200
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday and 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday - Cayce Clinic, 617 South 8th St.
7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday - Cleveland Park Medical & Dental Clinic, 1223 Dickerson Pike
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday - Eastside Medical & Dental Clinic, 905 Main St.
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday - Napier Medical & Dental Clinic, 107 Charles E. Davis Blvd.
7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday
Walk-ins are welcome. Appointments can be made with Neighborhood Health by calling 615-227-3000.
Symptoms of hepatitis A are fatigue, decreased appetite, stomach pain, nausea, darkened urine, pale stools and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). People can become ill 15 to 50 days after being exposed to the virus. Anyone experiencing symptoms should seek medical attention.
Hepatitis A is usually transmitted by putting something in your mouth such as an object, food or drink, which has been in contact with the feces of an infected person. The best ways to prevent hepatitis A infection are to get vaccinated and to practice good hand washing with warm water and soap.
