In a press conference on Wednesday, the Springfield-Greene County Health Department announced about receiving a report regarding food worker from Red Robins having hepatitis A.

The unnamed worker was present in the restaurant from May 8 to 16, therefore, the Health Department predict nearly 5,000 people are at risk to be affected. Since this news has been publicized, people who were present at the eating joint during those dates and others should be cautious if they notice any symptoms of illness.

Andrea Hall, a Red Robin customer said the news has scared her a lot. There are numerous symptoms that her husband has witnessed similar to that of the disease. Hall is quite upset and said it could hepatitis A, C or even worse.

Kevin Gipson, director of the Springfield-Greene County Health Department, said all the necessary preparations and precautions have been made to tackle the problem. "We never take the public health for granted. We did extensive investigating, food inspections and made the determination. It was a significant enough risk that we needed to notify the public", affirmed Gipson.

The Health Department is working in unison with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to break the chain of infection. From Memphis, 4,000 doses of the hepatitis A are on the way to Springfield.

Gipson said to make the vaccine work, it is important to have it within 14 days of the time exposed. This is the reason that they have been doing things quite quickly. Due to the same reason, health clinics will also be providing vaccines to anyone who may be infected.

One who has eaten at Red Robin from May 8 to 16 can come at Remington's (1655 W. Republic Rd.) on Thursday, May 22, from 11am to 6pm and on Friday, May 23, from 7am to noon.