CDC warns of possible hepatitis A exposure at Marco’s restaurant in Lewiston

Lewiston, Maine —

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention is warning customers who may have been exposed to hepatitis A at a Lewiston restaurant.

A Lewiston food service employee at Marco’s Italian Restaurant worked on the following dates while infected: 11, 13, 15-16, 18, 20-22, 25 and 27-28.

Officials say those who ate food or drank drinks at Marco’s may be at risk for infectious liver disease.

An infected person can spread the virus about two weeks before and one week after the onset of symptoms.

Hepatitis A can be prevented with a vaccine. Those who may have been exposed can avoid getting sick if they get vaccinated within 14 days of exposure.

Symptoms may appear 15 to 50 days after exposure.

These symptoms include:

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

If you develop any of these symptoms after possible exposure, seek medical attention immediately. Health experts advise people who have leftovers during this period to throw them away.

Restaurant co-owner Duane Arnold clarified in a written statement that the employee who caused the exposure worked less than 10 hours a week. “Dismissing this isolated case, the CDC has determined there is no direct risk to our employers or employees and we are open,” he wrote.

“We are committed to transparency and will continue to work with the CDC to ensure the continued safety of our employers and employees.”

“We are fully committed to maintaining the highest standards of clean, safe and quality food.”