In addition to some fast food, a Red Robin in Springfield, Missouri also exposed up to 5,000 patrons to hepatitis A thanks to an infected employee.

On Tuesday, Springfield-Greene County Health Department learned about the situation that puts customers who ate at the Red Robin from May 8 to May 16 at risk. The health department joined forces with state and federal officials to gather the proper amount of vaccine. The restaurant has not revealed in which part of the restaurant the infected employee was working, according to CNN.

"Upon being informed of the incident, the Springfield Red Robin took all safety measures to ensure the well-being of our guests and team members including arranging the inoculation of all Springfield team members with the immune globulin prophylaxis shot," Red Robin Gourmet Burgers officials said in a statement according to USA Today.

Officials hope to get all customers vaccinated within 14 days of their visit to the restaurant because if they were exposed, a vaccine won't work after that time. Clinics have been posted around the area so that patrons can visit them throughout Memorial Day weekend. The Springfield-Greene County Health announced the location of the clinics in a news conference on Wednesday, OzarksFirst reports.

"It scared me because my husband has been sick, and a lot of his symptoms of his matched," Andrea Hall, a Red Robin customer, told OzarksFirst. "A red flag just went off, and I was like, 'What do I do from here?'"

According to KSPR, the employee was working at Red Robin for months. As a result, thousands more could have been exposed to the disease, but it is too late for them to get vaccinated.

According to Mayo Clinic, hepatitis A is "a highly contagious liver infection caused by the hepatits A virus." It is most commonly spread through food, water, or close contact with an infected party. Mild cases don't require treatment. It is preventable via vaccines and hand washing.
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Follow Scharon Harding on Twitter: @ScharHar.

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