Hepatitis A exposure risk found at Lewiston restaurant

A restaurant worker at an Italian restaurant in Lewiston has been diagnosed with hepatitis A, putting patrons at risk of exposure to the virus.

According to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, food service workers at Marco’s Italian Restaurant at 12 Morrison Road in Lewiston were able to spread the disease during several days of shifts at the restaurant in September.

Those at risk of exposure to the virus are those who purchased and consumed food or drinks prepared by the restaurant on the following dates: November; September. 13; September. 15; September. 16; September. 18; September. 20; September. 21; September. 22; September. 25; September. 27th and September 28th

Hepatitis A virus can be spread through person-to-person contact or by consuming contaminated food or water, and can be spread by an infected person from two weeks before to one week after the onset of symptoms.

However, people who have been exposed to hepatitis A can be prevented from contracting the virus by getting vaccinated within 14 days of exposure. The hepatitis A vaccine is a two-dose series, and both vaccines are required.

Anyone who may have been exposed to the virus should throw away any potentially contaminated food and drink and seek vaccination.

Symptoms of hepatitis A include excessive fatigue, loss of appetite, stomach pain, nausea or diarrhea, dark urine, jaundice, fever, and joint pain. Symptoms usually appear around 15 to 50 days after exposure.

Hepatitis A cases in Maine have remained high since an increase in cases in 2019. People who are at higher risk of infection should get the hepatitis A vaccine to protect themselves.

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

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