Nassau health officials say an employee at a 7-Eleven in North Merrick may have exposed people to hepatitis A.

They say people at risk include anyone who bought food or drinks prepared at the 7-Eleven on Jerusalem Avenue in Merrick, or those who stopped to use the bathroom there in the past five weeks.

County Commissioner of Health Dr. Lawrence Eisenstein says the “risk is low.”

“This is not a cause for panic, but people should take precautions and protect their health," he told News 12.

Officials say a case of the contagious liver disease was confirmed this week in one of the store's food handlers. Hepatitis A can be spread when someone doesn't wash their hands properly and then touches objects or food.

County officials say the window of exposure was from Feb. 1 to March 6, but that only those exposed from Feb. 24 on should get vaccinated. The window to vaccinate after exposure is within two weeks.

Hepatitis A symptoms including fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal or joint pain, and jaundice. It can range from a mild illness to a severe one that lasts months.

The county will be providing free hepatitis A vaccines on Sunday and Monday for those who were possibly exposed. Anyone in need of additional information can call 516-227-9570.

Nassau free Hepatitis A vaccine/immune globulin
Sunday, March 10, 2019 from 12 pm to 4 pm
Nassau Community College CCB Building
One Education Drive, Garden City, NY 11530

Monday, March 11, 2019 from 1 pm to 6 pm
Nassau County Department of Health
200 County Seat Drive
Mineola, NY 11501