Health officials from the state confirmed that a food service worker at two Westbrook restaurants contracted hepatitis A, a contagious liver disease. The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention has called on staff and patrons who dined at Legends Rest Taproom and Paper City Barbecue in the last three weeks to contact their healthcare providers. The disease can be transmitted through person-to-person contact or by consuming contaminated food or water.
The infected employee worked at both restaurants, located at 855 Main St., for a total of 15 days in January and February, including as recently as this past Sunday. The employee’s earliest day of infection was Jan. 14. Additionally, they worked on Jan. 17-21; Jan. 24-28; Jan. 31; and Feb. 2-4.
Legends Rest Taproom announced on its Facebook page that a staff member had tested positive for hepatitis A. The restaurant closed on Tuesday for deep cleaning. Paper City BBQ is not open on Tuesdays.
“Out of caution, we are taking the day to deep clean,” Legends said in the post. “We are working closely with the Maine CDC to ensure the safety of our staff and customers. Thank you for your understanding.”
The CDC urged people to watch for symptoms, which typically appear 15 to 50 days after infection. Symptoms include fatigue, loss of appetite, stomach pain or nausea, diarrhea or dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), fever, and joint pain.
“Anyone who dined in or ordered takeout from these locations during these dates could be at risk for hepatitis A infection,” the CDC stated. “The proprietors are working closely with the Maine CDC, and there is no concern about ongoing exposure outside of these dates.”
Anyone who may have been exposed on those dates should dispose of any leftover food purchased from either restaurant. Additionally, individuals who worked, ate, or drank at the restaurants should receive a hepatitis A vaccine within 14 days of their last visit. After one dose, at least 94 out of 100 people become immune for several years.
The CDC noted that cases of hepatitis A in Maine have remained elevated since the state experienced an initial increase in 2019.
For more information on hepatitis A, visit cdc.gov/hepatitis/hav.
