On March 4, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) notified the community that it was investigating an increase in Hepatitis A cases in the region. There have been 12 cases reported in the region from north of Gravenhurst to Huntsville since October 2019. In a typical year, there would be between zero and six cases. At that time, no further details about any of the cases had been released.
In a subsequent public service announcement on March 11, SMDHU reported that an employee at The Family Place Restaurant in Huntsville had recently contracted Hepatitis A, and noted that, “The restaurant is working closely with the health unit and this occurrence is not a direct reflection on the restaurant, as this disease can happen at any time in any setting. It has been inspected and is compliant with public health standards.”
In response to unfounded concerns from members of the public that the restaurant may have been the source of the outbreak, its owners shared the following statement with Huntsville Doppler:
To our valued customers:
There has been an outbreak of Hepatitis A from Gravenhurst to Huntsville affecting a number of people. On March 4, the medical officer from the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit stated publicly on their website and urged residents in Muskoka to watch for signs of hepatitis due to a local increase in cases. On March 5, Global News reported an uptick in Hepatitis A in this area. Since October, 2019, there have been 12 cases. Several local schools have confirmed cases of a cluster of Hepatitis A from earlier in February. It is distressing to think that this restaurant is being singled out as the source of the virus when other cases have been reported earlier.
Unfortunately, one of our staff members has contracted Hep. A. It is a low risk for people to contract the virus, but we want our loyal customers to be well informed. The staff member is currently on leave, getting better, and we wish them a speedy recovery!
According to the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, The Family Place Restaurant has been fully compliant with the health department and have a green light to stay open for business as usual. Staff members have been diligent with cleaning procedures and were fully inspected on Friday, March 8.
As a precaution we ask that anyone who dined at the restaurant on the following dates talk with their doctor or the health unit (1-877-721-7520): Feb. 26 between 5:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.; Feb. 27, 28, 29, and March 1 between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.; March 4 between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m.; and March 7 between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m.
Free vaccinations are being offered this week at the Active Living Centre located at the back of the Canada Summit Centre (20 Park Drive, Huntsville) on March 11 from 2-8 p.m., March 12 from 10 a.m.-8 p.m., and March 13 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Doppler reached out to the health unit for more information about the other cases in the region and will publish further details once they are available.
Update, March 11, 8:00 p.m.: SMDHU associate medical officer of health, Dr. Colin Lee, responded to Doppler’s questions about the outbreak late this afternoon. Click here to read more.
For more information on Hepatitis A, visit simcoemuskokahealth.org.
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Just wanted to say that my friend from Lakefield and I had a lovely lunch on March 11 and we were able to stay and chat for a couple of hours as we requested with the always pleasant wait staff. On the way out we enjoyed Oliver and their baby. Oh, yes, at Family Place. Happy to have chosen their restaurant for our connection. Enough said.
We will Be picking up Pizza tonight as we do every Friday night…
Seriously, people, please WASH YOUR HANDS! It is gross, not to mention very UNHEALTHY to skip this vital bit of hygiene after using a public washroom. A friend’s daughter was doing a university microbiology project and she said that when she cultured the door handle on the toilet booth, it was teeming with more really bad stuff than was the toilet seat. (There’s a real “Ewwww” factor there for you.)
We should all try to limit our use of public washrooms but, when necessary, it is important to shut the faucets off with a paper towel before opening the washroom door with the same towel and then tossing the paper towel in the trash can (which should always be near the door). Who cares if anyone looks at you oddly. Shame on the establishments who don’t provide paper towels and rely on those horrible old hand driers (the newer ones use purified air). When the air from the old-fashioned ones was examined, it was discovered that it blew germy air from up off the washroom floor onto the user’s hands.
Just finished breakfast at Family Place…great food & service as always. Not their fault there is an issue. Support locals!!
My friend who was one of 6 of us that had brunch there on March first lives in British Columbia and gets to pay for her shot. She has no choice as she is just past having cancer treatment. Also there is another friend who lives in Guelph who I suspect will also have to pay for her shots, neither of these people should be penalised for eating there either. The two other women actually live near Collingwood so they are covered by this health unit. But we all will have to pay for the second shot. 75 to 150.00 for shots is a big price to pay for brunch with friends.
I’m so happy to see 100% support from our locals in the “Comments” section. I would not expect any less! Family Place earned a well deserved reputation under the previous owners; and nothing has besmirched that since the change in ownership.
Personally, I’m more concerned about the “perfect storm” when our snowbirds return: Covid-19 overlaid on a Hep-A background.
Wash your hands. Keep your hands away from your mouth. And support Family Place with your disposable food dollars. I would hate to see any grief come to this fine, young couple.
WELL SAID Bill Wright people are so quick to point fingers!!! Family Place has complied so give them a break. they go over an above for patrons. and give free meals to the less fortunate at Christmas etc… but people forget about that soon as they hear negative. anyone could get this any where, for that matter even customers coming into the restaurant could have it or worse.
It can and could happen anywhere. This is NOT something the owners or staff have inflicted on us, they are no doubt upset and frustrated as well.
Support our local business ….Then, WASH YOUR DARN HANDS…. !!!!
Follow the posted hand wash guidelines.
That’s all I can say.
>>> Breakfast anyone, Family Restaurant. It’s safe.
I was just diagnosed with Hep A and I didn’t eat there. Just wash your hands people !!!! Don’t pass blame on where we may have caught it, pass blame on those that don’t wash their hands after visiting the bathroom!
Everyone just needs to wash their hands! This is just one virus, amongst many, that are out there. I was diagnosed with Hep A this am and I did not eat at the Family Restaurant during those dates. Don’t Be so quick to blame anyone but yourself if you are not a good hand washer!! Stay safe and sanitize always !
And, for those who can’t remember all the dates they dined there, a quick review of their credit card / debit card transactions would put their minds at ease. For those paying cash, “In God We Trust”
This business does not need the current toilet paper attitude that seems to be so prevalent.
The public should stock up on Family Place Pizza, in case they MIGHT get Covid-19 quarantined…it freezes well, reheats well, and will tide you over for 14 days at home. I suggest the venerable Canadian Pizza….and, for those who might have cancelled trips, order some Hawaiian pizzas.
‘Nuff said.
This could have happened to any of our amazing restaurants and I know their loyal customers won’t let them down now. I’m going for Pizza tonight!!!