The Nashville Metro Public Health Department (MPHD) officials announced that an individual working at Stirrup Sports Bar has been diagnosed with acute hepatitis A.
Bar owner Melvin Brown was notified this morning of the diagnosis. "Our employee is receiving the necessary medical care and is doing well," he told O&AN late this afternoon.
Brown has been in touch with metro health officials all day and reports, too, that the popular 4th Avenue South bar received a 100% health score late in the day. Upon confirmation of the diagnosis, the health department inspected the site.
"They did an inspection today," he said. "We were given a perfect score of 100% when they finished. This is the same score we received on our previous walks as well. They always comment on how clean and sanitary the bar is."
"As soon as we found out, we were in constant communication with Metro Health."
If you visited Stirrup anytime from July 13 through July 21, the Metro Health Department is offering a free hepatitis A vaccine. As well, 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 those dates to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
The health department continues an effort to reach three at-risk groups in response to an outbreak of hepatitis A that was announced nearly two months ago. Officials have confirmed 60 cases of hepatitis A have occurred in Nashville since December 2017. The health departmet continues to work with the Tennessee Department of Health as well as other Metro Departments and community organizations in response to the outbreak. 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
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 handwashing with warm water and soap.
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.
7am to 4pm Monday through Friday
Cleveland Park Medical & Dental Clinic, 1223 Dickerson Pike
8am to 5pm Monday through Friday
Eastside Medical & Dental Clinic, 905 Main St.
8am to 5pm Monday through Friday
Napier Medical & Dental Clinic, 107 Charles E. Davis Blvd.
7am to 4pm Monday through Friday
As for Melvin Brown and everyone at Stirrup, it's certainly been a long day, but—with a 100% score from metro health in hand—it's back to business as usual.
"The bar is open for business," he said, "and here to serve the community as always. We have a huge charity event tomorrow and want people to know that we are open, and we are well."
"I think education is the best thing for people," he added. "Get vaccinated and know what Hep A is."