MEDIA ADVISORY

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

WHAT:           HCPHES Hepatitis A Immune Globulin Clinic

WHEN: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 

                      **Final Update**

TREATMENT & PREVENTION OF HEPATITIS A

The last day Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services (HCPHES) will be providing free immune globulin (IG) shots is Thursday, February 22^nd from 8:30am to 8:30pm for those persons potentially exposed to Hepatitis A at Pappasito’s Cantina (15280 I-45 North) on February 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 8^th, should get an immune globulin shot no later than Thursday, February 22^nd

§ February 9^th, should get an immune globulin shot no later than Friday, February 23^rd

CLINIC UPDATE

At the close of the day, Wednesday, February 21^st:

• 683 people registered
• 681 people were screened
• 606 people received the immune globulin shot

HCPHES has adjusted the staffing of the clinic to make the procedure more efficient.  As a result, it has significantly reduced the time it takes for people to go through the process. 

HOTLINE

• HCPHES encourages residents to call the 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 more than 1800 phone calls since it opened, Monday, February 19^th.

The hotline has received 306 phone calls today.

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