An employee at the fast food restaurant tested positive for Hepatitis A and was working from April 12 to April 14. ABC Action News reported that health inspectors discovered that Taco Bell employees were not washing their hands, which may have contributed to the spread of the virus.
When inspectors showed up on the day of the inspection, the state found employees were not washing their hands. Which apparently is how the virus spreads and then is transferred to the food served. So many contaminated five layer burritos. Come on, Taco Bell!
The report also states that there was no hot water in the handwash sinks in either restroom, nor was the soap dispenser working in the men's room.
The taco mecca released the following statement to the station after gaining knowledge of the Hepatitis A incident. "As soon as the operator of this Tarpon Springs, FL location learned from the Pinellas County Health Department that one of the team members had been diagnosed, the franchisee began working closely with Taco Bell and health officials. The restaurant was immediately thoroughly sanitized and all team members were vaccinated. The safety of our customers and team members is our highest priority; we take this very seriously."
A case was recently reported at Ferg's Sports Bar & Grill, and Hernando County caught a case as well. The third case was reported by the Florida Department of Health, an employee of the Silverthorn Country Club restaurant in Spring Hill. The worker may have exposed the virus to guests over the span of two weeks, April 12 through April 30.
The outbreak of the contagious liver disease began in 2018 and has accelerated this year. Might be a good idea to get vaccinated just for fun, you know, so your skin and eyes don't turn yellow and you don't get the bubble guts.
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This article appears in May 2-9, 2019.