SAN JOSE -- Gymnasts participating in the national gymnastics championships held in San Jose earlier this month and visitors to the competition may have been exposed to hepatitis A from Jamba Juice smoothies prepared by an infected worker at the event, according to Santa Clara County health officials.

However, officials caution that the risk of exposure is extremely remote.

The same hepatitis A-positive worker who prepared smoothies at a Jamba Juice in San Jose's Willow Glen neighborhood also prepared smoothies during the championships and the USA Gymnastics National Congress and Trade Show held in conjunction with the championships, according to Santa Clara County Health Department spokeswoman Joy Alexiou.

"They were given to participants is my understanding," Alexiou said.

The female worker, who is now recovering from her infection, used good hygiene and food safety practices while preparing the smoothies so the chance of anyone who had a smoothie at the championships or the concurrent tradeshow is remote.

"Because Jamba Juice is so good with their safety practices, making everyone wear gloves, and she said she followed everything and we believe her, there is such a small chance," of becoming infected from a smoothie, Alexiou said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends vaccination for individuals who are not protected from the virus because they have had hepatitis A in the past or have already been vaccinated against it. However, the vaccine is only effective within 14 days of exposure.

Smoothies prepared by the infected worker were distributed at the JumpSport booth at the trade show on August 16th and 17th, according to the Monterey County Department of Health.

Alexiou said Santa Clara County health officials have had no reports of additional hepatitis A infections since the initial announcement about the Jamba Juice worker last week.

More information about hepatitis A can be obtained from the Center for Disease Control at a special CDC Web page. .