Patrons of two bars in southwestern North Carolina are being warned that they may have been exposed to Hepatitis A after an employee of both establishments was found to be carrying the virus. The Mecklenberg County Health Department and the Public Health Authority of Cabbarrus County issued a joint health advisory Tuesday after a bartender who works at a Hooters in Concord and at the Whiskey Warehouse in Charlotte was confirmed to have Hepatitis A, a virus that infects the liver. Those at risk of exposure include people who ate at Hooters on Bruton Smith Blvd. in Concord, NC on February 7 or 8 of this year between 10:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.; and those who ate or drank at the Whiskey Warehouse, located at 1221 The Plaza in Charlotte, on February 6 between the hours of 5:30 and 7:30 p.m., February 9 between 4:30 p.m. and 3:30 a.m. or February 13 between 7:00 and 8:30 p.m.. Anyone who ate or drank at either establishment during these specified times and has not already had hepatits A should receive a vaccine for the virus if their exposure was 14 days ago or less, health officials advise. The Mecklenburg County Health Department, located at 249 Billingsley Road location in Charlotte will offer the following clinic hours for walk-in service:

  • Wednesday, Feb. 20, from 8 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m.
  • Thursday, Feb. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 3 to 6 p.m.
  • Friday, Feb. 22 from 8 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m.
  • Monday Feb. 25 from 8 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m.
  • Tuesday Feb. 26 from 8 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Feb. 27 from 8 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m.
The Public Health Authority of Cabarrus County/Cabarrus Health Alliance at 300 Mooresville Road, Kannapolis NC will offer the following clinic hours for walk-in service:

  • Wednesday, Feb. 20, 3 to 7 p.m. 
  • Thursday, Feb. 21, 3 to 7 p.m.
  • Friday, Feb. 22, 3 to 7 p.m.

No appointment is necessary at either location.

Symptoms of Hepatitis A infection usually appear 2 to 7 weeks after exposure and may include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, pale colored stools and dark urine. Jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and eyes, may occur a few days after symptoms appear. Symptoms usually last one to two weeks but can last longer.