American Airlines passengers were told they may have been exposed to hepatitis A by a flight attendant (AAL)

Thirty-six American Airlines passengers were notified that they may have been exposed to hepatitis A by a flight attendant, the ABC affiliate WSOC-TV reported.
A representative for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) told Business Insider it was informed that the American Airlines flight attendant mentioned in WSOC-TV's story was confirmed to have hepatitis A.
That flight attendant had symptoms of the disease on multiple flights, the representative added, and passengers on those flights were contacted about the flight attendant's illness.
An American Airlines representative did not comment on the specifics of the case reported by WSOC-TV, but said the airline's policy is to immediately pull an employee from working flights when its is notified by the CDC that the employee may have an infectious disease.
The Mecklenburg County Health Department and San Francisco Department of Public Health have notified a total of 36 passengers about the possible exposure, according to WSOC-TV's report.
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Thirty-six American Airlines passengers were notified that they may have been exposed to hepatitis A by a flight attendant, the ABC affiliate WSOC-TV reported. The potential exposure reportedly occurred on a September 21 flight from San Francisco to Charlotte.

A representative for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) told Business Insider that it was informed that the American Airlines flight attendant mentioned in WSOC-TV's story was confirmed to have Hepatitis A. That flight attendant had symptoms of the disease on multiple flights, the representative added, and passengers on those flights were contacted about the flight attendant's illness.

"The safety of our customers and team members is our top priority," an American Airlines representative told Business Insider. "We are in close contact with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and public health officials and will coordinate with them on any required health and safety related measures."

The American Airlines representative did not comment on the specifics of the case reported by WSOC-TV, but said the airline's policy is to immediately pull an employee from working flights when it is notified by the CDC that the employee may have an infectious disease.

The Mecklenburg County Health Department and San Francisco Department of Public Health have notified a total of 36 passengers about the possible exposure, according to WSOC-TV's report. All 18 passengers contacted by the Mecklenburg County Health Department have received immunizations, the agency told WSOC-TV.

Both agencies did not immediately respond to Business Insider's requests for comment.

Hepatitis A is a liver infection that can cause inflammation and impact the way your liver functions. Most people who have Hepatitis A do not experience permanent liver damage, according to the Mayo Clinic .