Quote:Somerset County health officials will be providing free hepatitis A vaccines to some New Jersey residents who may have been exposed to the disease.

The New Jersey Department of Health confirms that one of the food handlers at the ShopRite located at 1 South Davenport St. has hepatitis A and may have exposed customers. Anyone who was at the ShopRite between Oct. 13 and Oct. 30 may be at risk of exposure.

Officials say that the ShopRite employee worked in the deli section of the store. Anyone who consumed food or drink from the department or who used the restroom in the store is encouraged to receive a hepatitis A vaccine if they have not already.

Those who may need the vaccine can go to the Somerset County Human Services Building located 27 Warren St. in Somerville, from 12-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 6, and Thursday, Nov. 7 to receive a free vaccine. No appointments are necessary.

Officials say that for anyone else – vaccines should be gotten no later than Nov. 13.

Anyone who purchased items at the ShopRite deli department during the periods of Oct. 13 to Oct. 30 is urged to throw them away.

A spokesperson for ShopRite says in a statement, “The safety of our customers and associates is our highest priority.

The statement continued, “As soon as we received notification from the departments of health, we took immediate action to deep clean and sanitize the store, including all knives, cases, and equipment and work surfaces per required food safety protocols.”

The spokesperson also says that all deli meats, cheeses or sandwiches from the department that may have been handled by the employees “are no longer in the store.”

This is not the first time this year that a food handler in New Jersey has exposed customers to hepatitis A. A worker at Brother’s Produce in Paterson tested positive for the illness in September.

Twenty-seven people contracted the illness at the Mendham Golf and Tennis Club in June after an employee was confirmed to have had the illness. One person died due to the outbreak.

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Now you know why it freaked Seinfeld when the pie maker didn't wash his hands.