The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention is warning that individuals who dined at two restaurants in southern Maine during specific dates in January and February may have been exposed to hepatitis A.
The CDC has confirmed a case of hepatitis A in a food service worker at Legends Rest Taproom and Paper City BBQ, both located at 855 Main St. in Westbrook. The infected person worked at the restaurants on multiple dates from January 14 to February 4.
Patrons who visited or ordered takeout from these establishments during the mentioned dates are at risk of hepatitis A infection. However, there is no ongoing exposure concern beyond those dates. In response to the situation, Legends Rest Taproom announced on Facebook that they would be closed for deep cleaning.
Hepatitis A can be prevented with a vaccine, and those who have been exposed to the virus can avoid falling ill by getting the vaccine within 24 days of exposure. The CDC recommends that anyone who may have been exposed to hepatitis A should discard any leftover food purchased from the two restaurants during the specified dates. Additionally, individuals who consumed food or beverages at the restaurants are advised to get a hepatitis vaccine within 14 days of exposure, and restaurant staff who worked during the mentioned dates are also encouraged to get vaccinated.
Symptoms of hepatitis A include fatigue, loss of appetite, stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, dark urine, jaundice, fever, and joint pain. These symptoms typically appear 15-50 days after exposure and can vary in severity. Those severely affected may require hospitalization, and their symptoms can persist for several months.
The CDC noted that hepatitis A cases in Maine have remained elevated since an initial increase in 2019. For further information on the disease, visit www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hav/.