In the aftermath of a hepatitis A outbreak in Rock Island County, there are no confirmed cases of the viral infection in La Salle County.

La Salle County Health Department spokeswoman Jenny Barrie said the hepatitis A vaccine is offered at no charge to anyone in the county who is linked to the outbreak.

"If someone was in the area or ate at the restaurant," Barrie said.

The outbreak stemmed from a food service worker employed by the McDonald"s restaurant in Milan, Ill., and diagnosed with hepatitis A after working during the infectious period and handling food items not subsequently cooked.

Those who dined from July 6 through July 10 and July 13 and 14 are at risk. To date, health departments have reported 18 confirmed cases of hepatitis A to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Hepatitis A is a viral infection that causes inflammation of the liver and occurs 15 to 50 days after exposure to an infected food item or person. Symptoms may include loss of appetite, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, dark colored urine and yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes.

People infected with hepatitis A may have no symptoms, but could still potentially infect others.

"Hepatitis A is a virus that can be carried on the hands of an infected person who does not wash his or her hands thoroughly after using the bathroom. You can become infected by direct contact with a person who does not practice good hand hygiene or by consuming food or drink handled by an infected person," said Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Damon T. Arnold. "Your best defense against getting ill or making others ill is to properly wash your hands — use soap and warm water and rub your hands for 20 seconds."

In 2008, La Salle County had three confirmed cases of hepatitis A.

Vaccination clinics for children are held throughout the year, Barrie said, and any adult who wishes to be vaccinated can call the health department at 815-433-3366.