MEDIA ADVISORY

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

WHAT:           HCPHES Hepatitis A Immune Globulin Clinic

WHEN: Updates will be given to the media at 10:00am & 3:00pm, Tuesday,    

February 20, 2007

WHERE: Mangum-Howell Center (outside of the Clinic facility)

                        (Formerly Doss Community Center)

                        2500 Frick Rd., Houston, Texas 77038

TREATMENT & PREVENTION OF HEPATITIS A

Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services (HCPHES) will be providing free immune globulin (IG) shots Tuesday-Thursday, February 20^th - 22^nd from 8:30am to 8:30pm for those persons potentially exposed to Hepatitis A at Pappasito’s Cantina (15280 I45 North) on February 7, 8, & 9, 2007.

The Immune Globulin Shot has antibodies to help fight infections.  Immune globulin (IG) is only effective if given within a two-week period after exposure to the disease.  People who dined at this restaurant on:

§ February 7^th , should get an immune globulin shot no later than Tuesday, February 20^th

§ February 8^th, should get an immune globulin shot no later than Wednesday, February 21^st

§ February 9^th, should get an immune globulin shot no later than Thursday, February 22^nd

Hepatitis A Vaccinations prompt the body’s own immune system to manufacture antibodies to fight disease.  Vaccinations are only effective when given before exposure to the disease.

HOTLINE

Residents are asked to call HCPHES hotline at 713.212.0200 through Thursday, February 22^nd from 8:00am to 8:00pm or visit our website at www.hcphes.org for more information.  The hotline has received over 100 phone calls so far this morning.  There were more than 700 total calls taken Monday, February 19^th.

(For more information, contact Rita Obey at 713-439-6293, Sandy Kachur at 713-439-6292, Martha Garza at 713-439-6193-Spanish)