MASSAPEQUA PARK, N.Y. — Health officials on Long Island say hundreds of people may have been exposed to hepatitis A while receiving communion on Christmas Day.
The Nassau County Health Department said Monday that anyone who received communion at either the 10:30 a.m. or noon Masses at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Massapequa Park on Dec. 25 may have been exposed.
A spokesman declined to provide details, citing privacy concerns.
Health officials will offer vaccines at the church this week. A church spokesman did not immediately comment.
Symptoms may include an abrupt onset of fever, fatigue, poor appetite, nausea, stomach pain, dark-colored urine and jaundice (a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes). The disease is rarely fatal and most people recover in a few weeks without any complications.
For additional information on the potential hepatitis A exposure at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, please call the Nassau County Department of Health at 516.227.9496 between the hours of 9:00 am and 4:45 pm. Additional information on hepatitis A is available on the Nassau County Department of Health web site at http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/Health/index.html
Associated Press