Three people have died from a hepatitis A outbreak in Montgomery County and investigators continue to determine if a West Norriton pizzeria is responsible, according to 6abc.com.
Montgomery County Office of Public Health officials announced the death Tuesday.
Gino’s Ristorante and Pizzeria has been eyed as the source of the outbreak, but officials have not yet confirmed that with certainty, per reports. Gino’s Pizzeria was closed by the county Office of Public Health on January 7. Per an attorney for Gino’s, no employees have tested positive for hepatitis A.
According to a January 7 Montgomery County Office of Public Health Inspection Report for Food Establishments, owner Giacomo Bavalamenti refused to voluntarily close because of the outbreak investigation and was mandated to close by the county public health office. West Norriton Township Polic were on-site at the time of closure. Gino’s cannot reopen until it receives written permission from the county Office of Public Health.
On Dec. 30, 2021, the county Office of Public Health conducted a routine inspection of the restaurant following a foodborne illness complaint. The restaurant was in violation of one item – Contamination prevented during food preparation, storage and display. Per the inspection, “salad greens were plated inside a reach-in refrigerator with the bottoms of the plates touching salad greens on bottom plates.”
At present, there are more than 12 hepatitis A cases under investigation and seven remain hospitalized.
In a statement released last week, Gino’s Pizzeria stated it is cooperating completely with the investigation. “Our restaurant has been inspected and no evidence of any airborne or transmittable disease has been found. The cleanliness of our facility, our refrigeration, food handling and water temperatures have been approved,” per the statement.
See also:
Montco Restaurant Releases Statement Regarding Hepatitis A Outbreak
6 Hospitalized, 1 Possible Death Linked to Hepatitis A Outbreak at Montco Restaurant [UPDATED]
Montco Man Pleads Guilty to Shooting at County Democratic Headquarters
Norristown Farm Park Announces January Events
Montgomery County to Hold Point-in-Time Count to Measure Street Homelessness
