Falmouth restaurant may be exposed to hepatitis A

FALMOUTH, Maine — The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) has identified a case of Hepatitis A among a Falmouth food service worker at The Dockside Grill.

According to a press release from the Maine CDC on Tuesday, the individuals were infected at Foreside Rd. in Falmouth on Oct. 23, 24, and 25 and Nov. 6, 7, and 8. Restaurant job at No. 215.

Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease caused by the hepatitis virus and can be spread through person-to-person contact or through the consumption of contaminated food or water.

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention says anyone who dines at The Dockside Grill or orders takeout during these dates may be at risk for hepatitis A infection.

“The restaurant is working closely with the Maine CDC and has no concerns about continued exposure beyond these dates,” the release said.

To prevent getting hepatitis A, you can get vaccinated. If you have been exposed to hepatitis A, you can avoid getting sick if you get vaccinated within 14 days of exposure – the hepatitis A vaccine is a two-dose series. The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention says at least 94 out of every 100 people are immune to the hepatitis A virus for several years after one shot, but a second dose ensures long-term protection.

• Discard any leftover food purchased at this restaurant during the above dates.
• If eligible, get vaccinated.
• If you eat or drink at this restaurant during these dates, please get the hepatitis A vaccine within 14 days of the last time you ate or drank there.
• If more than 14 days have passed, people who have not been vaccinated before can still get vaccinated at any time to prevent future exposure.
• Individuals working in restaurants during these dates should receive the Hepatitis A vaccine within 14 days of their last date of employment.
• Ask your healthcare provider if you need hepatitis A immune globulin (IG) in addition to the hepatitis A vaccine; some people may need both.
• If you have received the hepatitis A vaccine, you are already protected. You do not need any additional hepatitis A vaccines at this time.

“If you ate or drank at this restaurant during these dates, please watch for hepatitis A symptoms for 50 days from the last day you ate, drank, or worked at this restaurant. If you experience any of the following symptoms , sought medical assistance,” the release said.

• feeling tired
• Low or no appetite
• stomachache
• nausea
• diarrhea
• dark urine
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
• fever
• joint pain

Symptoms begin 15 to 50 days after exposure to the virus and can range from mild to severe. People who become sick may need to go to the hospital, and symptoms may last for several months. According to the news release, most children under six years old experience mild or no symptoms.

Hepatitis A cases in Maine have remained high since an initial increase in 2019, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention said. Anyone at increased risk of infection is advised to protect themselves and get vaccinated against hepatitis A.

For more information about hepatitis A, visit www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hav/.

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