2003 Outbreak of Hepatitis A Infections at O'Charley's Restaurant, Tennessee

An outbreak of hepatitis A occurred among patrons and foodhandlers at the O'Charley's Restaurant in Knoxville, Tennessee. No foodhandler was identified as the source of transmission to restaurant patrons. The Centers for Disease Control sent an investigative team and determined that green onions were the vehicle of infection. This outbreak ran concurrently with an outbreak of hepatitis A in the state of Georgia, also related to green onions. In fact, two Georgia-based, O'Charley's Restaurants, in Centerville and Macon, were among the restaurants involved in Georgia's hepatitis A outbreak.

Overview

Outbreak began:September 2003
Affected country:US
States/territories:TN
Pathogen:Hepatitis A
Vehicle(s):Green onions
Location(s):Restaurant
Brand name(s):O'Charley's Restaurant
Molecular test results:Not reported

Health impact

Total ill:57
Number of deaths:1

Sources & documents

Report / reference links