Chi-Chi's Comments on Hepatitis A Outbreak in Beaver County, PA

November 7, 5:20 pm ET

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Nov. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Chi-Chi's, Inc., a Mexican restaurant chain headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, expressed its concerns today regarding the recent outbreak of Hepatitis A in Beaver County, Pennsylvania.

According to the Center for Disease Control of Atlanta, Georgia (CDC), as many as 127 area residents may have become ill with Hepatitis A as of the morning of November 7, 2003. The Company today confirmed that six employees at its Chi-Chi's restaurant in the Beaver Valley Mall are among those area residents who tested positive for Hepatitis A and these employees are under medical supervision.

Upon learning that the restaurant may have been a contributing factor to the outbreak, the Company voluntarily closed the location and retained a qualified medical expert to investigate the cause of the illness, supervise testing and medical treatment of the employees, and to confirm that the food handling and hygiene policies at the restaurant chain take every precaution against the spread food-borne illnesses. Chi-Chi's is working actively with the Pennsylvania Department of Health to ensure that the location is thoroughly sanitized and that all employees are cleared of any possible infection before returning to work. The Company's medical advisor is also working closely with the CDC to determine the source of the infection.

Bill Zavertnik, Chi-Chi's Chief Operating Officer, commented: "Chi-Chi's deeply regrets the recent spread of Hepatitis A in the Beaver Valley area of Pennsylvania. Over the years, our Company has developed and enacted food safety programs that place the Company in the top percentile of national restaurant chains in the promotion and enforcement of the highest standards of health and hygiene. Our hearts go out to the families that have been impacted.

"The origin of this outbreak is still under investigation. We do know that several Chi-Chi's employees have become ill with Hepatitis A. We have clear and long-standing policies that prohibit employees from working while sick. However, given my understanding of the incubation period, several employees may have worked not knowing that they had been infected or could pass on that infection to others.

"We sincerely apologize to all of our loyal customers and want to inform the community that Chi-Chi's will do everything within our power to make sure that our patrons continue to enjoy a healthful and rewarding dining experience and that our employees have a safe and sanitized working atmosphere. The Beaver Valley Chi-Chi's has received excellent scores on its most recent health department inspections, scoring 94 and 95 out of 100 in 2003 and 2002, respectively. We intend to fully investigate the origin of this outbreak and ensure that Chi-Chi's industry leading sanitation policies are followed to the letter at every single Chi-Chi's location."

About Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is an infectious disease caused by the Hepatitis A virus. According the CDC, approximately 1/3 of Americans had evidence of past Hepatitis A infection, which provides immunity to the disease. Unlike other strains of Hepatitis, there is no chronic (long-term) infection with Hepatitis A.

Further information about Hepatitis A can be found at the CDC website at www.cdc.gov . Anyone who suspects they have been exposed to the virus should contact their physician.

The CDC website states: "Persons with Hepatitis A virus infection may not have any signs or symptoms of the disease. Older persons are more likely to have symptoms than children. If symptoms are present, they usually occur abruptly and may include fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal discomfort, dark urine, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)."

Persons who suspect they have come into contact with the Hepatitis A virus can be treated with immune globulin. The CDC describes immune globulin as "a preparation of antibodies that can be given before exposure for short-term protection against Hepatitis A and for persons who have already been exposed to Hepatitis A virus. Immune globulin must be given within 2 weeks after exposure to Hepatitis A virus for maximum protection."

About Chi- Chi's

Chi-Chi's has served millions of guests in mid-western and eastern states since 1976 and is a recognized leader in full service casual Mexican dining. The chain operates 100 company owned restaurants in the mid-west and eastern United States. For more information, go to www.chi-chis.com .

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