For World Hepatitis Day, the community gets to learn more about different types of viral hepatitis and what people can do to help eliminate hepatitis. There are 5 types of viral hepatitis, which are hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E, causing both acute and chronic liver disease. Viral hepatitis is one of the biggest global health threats of our time. 290 million people living with viral hepatitis are unaware. It is important for the community to learn about viral hepatitis more and continue to work on eliminating the cause.

• Hepatitis A is primarily spread when someone ingests the virus from contact with food, drinks, or objects contaminated by feces from an infected person or has close personal contact with someone who is infected. Hepatitis A does not cause chronic liver disease and is rarely fatal, but it can cause serious symptoms. Hepatitis A can be prevented through improved sanitation, food safety, and vaccination.
• Hepatitis B is often spread during birth from an infected mother to her baby. Infection can also occur through contact with blood and other body fluids through injection drug use, unsterile medical equipment, and sexual contact. Hepatitis B is most common in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, but is also high in the Amazon region of South America, the southern parts of eastern and central Europe, the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent. The hepatitis B virus can cause both acute and chronic infection, ranging in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious, chronic illness. If infected at birth or during early childhood, people are more likely to develop a chronic infection, which can lead to liver cirrhosis or even liver cancer. Getting the hepatitis B vaccine is the most effective way to prevent hepatitis B. WHO recommends that all infants receive the hepatitis B vaccine as soon as possible after birth, followed by 2-3 additional doses. In many parts of the world, widespread infant vaccination programs have led to dramatic declines of new hepatitis B cases.
• Hepatitis C is spread through contact with blood of an infected person. Infection can occur through injection drug use and unsafe medical injections and other medical procedures. Mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis C is also possible. Hepatitis C can cause both acute and chronic infections, but most people who get infected develop a chronic infection. A significant number of those who are chronically infected will develop liver cirrhosis or liver cancer. Since discovery of new treatments, over 90% of people with hepatitis C can be cured within 2-3 months, reducing the risk of death from liver cancer and cirrhosis. The first step for people living with hepatitis C to benefit from treatments is to get tested and linked to care. There is currently no vaccine for hepatitis C but research in this area is ongoing.
• Hepatitis D is passed through contact with infected blood. Hepatitis D only occurs in people who are already infected with the hepatitis B virus. People who are not already infected with hepatitis B can prevent hepatitis D by getting vaccinated against hepatitis B.
• Hepatitis E is spread mainly through contaminated drinking water. Hepatitis E usually clears in 4-6 weeks so there is no specific treatment. However, pregnant women infected with hepatitis E are at considerable risk of mortality from this infection.  Hepatitis E is found worldwide, but the number of infections is highest in East and South Asia. Improved sanitation and food safety can help prevent new cases of hepatitis E. A vaccine to prevent hepatitis E has been developed and is licensed in China, but is not yet available elsewhere.

Town of Brookline Hosts Showcase for Food Vendors Interested in Helping Cater U.S. Open

Local food vendors showcased cuisine samples for a chance to be selected to partner with Ridgewells in catering the 2022 U.S. Open. (Photo Courtesy Leise Jones Photography) 

BROOKLINE — The Town of Brookline announces that local food vendors recently showcased their cuisines at an event hosted by the Brookline Chamber of Commerce and Ridgewells, the caterer for the United States Golf Association (USGA).

The showcase was held on Monday, Feb. 7, at the Putterham Meadows Golf Course as a part of the Open Works Program. More than 30 local food vendors participated in the tasting event for a chance to be selected to partner with Ridgewells in catering the 2022 U.S. Open. 

There were five showcase sessions, each lasting an hour, with seven businesses participating per session. Food was sampled by town officials, as well as staff from Ridgewells and the USGA.

Vendors included restaurants, bakeries, purveyors that specialize in olive oil, juice, sauce, pies, guacamole and salsa. 

Ridgewells will select the vendors based on factors including food quality, portion size and cost. Chosen vendors will be notified in the coming weeks. 

"I wish to thank all the vendors who participated in Monday's showcase, as well as all the town and USGA staff who worked diligently to bring this event to fruition," said Chamber of Commerce President David Gladstone. "This was a great opportunity for vendors to showcase their culinary skills, and with so many talented food purveyors, I know that narrowing down the vendors will not be easy." 

The Open Works Program is designed to allow diverse Brookline businesses and residents to receive priority for the supplier and labor needs connected with the 2022 U.S. Open Championship. Visit www.usga.org/openworks to learn more about the program. About the Open Works Program

About the 2022 U.S. Open

The U.S. Open will be played at The Country Club from June 13-19, 2022. It will be the fourth U.S. Open in the club’s history and its 17th USGA championship, second-most all-time. The championship was last played in Brookline during summer 1988. The first U.S. Open at The Country Club remains one of the most significant events in golf, when Brookline amateur golfer Francis Ouimet upset two of the game’s contemporary stars, Harry Vardon and Ted Ray, to win the 1913 edition. For more information about the U.S. Open visit https://brooklinema.gov/USOpen. For more information about USGA visit https://www.usga.org/. 

Ridgewells will select the vendors based on a variety of factors, including quality, portion size, cost and more. (Photo Courtesy Leise Jones Photography)

Over 30 local food vendors participated in the showcase. (Photo Courtesy Leise Jones Photography)

The Combined Reports for the November 15, 2022 Special Town Meetings have been posted.

  http://brooklinema.gov/1020/Town-Meeting-Files.