Hundreds of worshippers may have been exposed to the hepatitis A virus while receiving Holy Communion at a Long Island Catholic church on Christmas morning, officials said.
An unidentified person who handled the communion wafers could have transmitted the illness to parishioners at two Masses on the holy day, authorities said.
The possible spread of the virus occurred at Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church in Massapequa at the 10:30 a.m. and noon Masses on Dec. 25.
The Nassau County Department of Health said anyone who received the bread wafers should report for inoculation at the church this week. A department spokesman declined to provide details, citing privacy concerns.
Symptoms of hepatitis A include an abrupt onset of fever, fatigue, poor appetite, nausea and stomach pain. Those affected may also suffer from jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes.
Infection is rarely fatal and most people recover in a few weeks.
“Individuals may be at risk,” said Sean Dolan, a spokesman for Diocese of Rockville Centre.
The church has about 7,500 parishioners, but it was not clear how many attended the Masses.
Hepatitis A is commonly spread by consuming food or drink that was handled by an infected person.
“It’s not the Communion wafer itself,” Dolan said. “It was somebody who handled the Communion wafers. There may have been a transmission there.”
Casual contact is not enough, health officials said. Just attending one of the Masses but not receiving Communion would not put someone at risk.
“It is under investigation,” Dolan said. “We’re hoping that anybody who might come down with the virus comes out and gets the vaccination.”
Symptoms usually appear within 28 days of infection but can manifest as much as 50 days after. Anyone at risk should be inoculated within two weeks of being exposed.
Dolan said inoculations would take place at the church auditorium at 855 Carmans Road today, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., and tomorrow, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.