The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention issued a warning Friday after an employee at Portland’s Green Elephant Bistro was diagnosed with hepatitis A.
The person worked in the restaurant on the following dates during the period of infection: 21 (dinner only); September. 23 (lunch and dinner); September. 24th and 27th (dinner only); September. 28th and 30th (lunch and dinner); 1st, 4th and 5th October (dinner only).
The restaurant at 608 Congress Street is working closely with the Maine CDC and reports no ongoing exposure after those dates, the agency said.
“Anyone who dined at this restaurant during these days may be at risk for hepatitis A infection,” the agency said. “It is unclear who purchased and/or consumed take-out food or beverages from this restaurant during these days. Whether the customer is infected.”
Still, the agency recommends people throw away any leftover food purchased at restaurants on these dates and contact a health care provider and get vaccinated if they think they may have been exposed.
“You can prevent hepatitis A through the vaccine,” the agency says. “People who are exposed to hepatitis A can avoid getting sick if they get vaccinated within 14 days of exposure.”
Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease caused by a virus that can be spread through person-to-person contact or through the consumption of contaminated food or water.
“If you ate or drank at this restaurant during these dates, get vaccinated against hepatitis A within 14 days of the last time you ate or drank there,” the agency advises. “If it’s been more than 14 days, people who haven’t been vaccinated before should People can still get vaccinated at any time to prevent future exposure.”
Employees working in the restaurant on these dates should receive the hepatitis A vaccine within 14 days of their last date of work.
“Ask your health care provider if you need hepatitis A immune globulin (IG) in addition to the hepatitis A vaccine,” the agency says. “Some people may need both.”
Symptoms of hepatitis A include feeling tired, low or no appetite, stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), fever, and joint pain.
Symptoms begin 15-50 days after exposure to the virus and can range from mild to severe. People who are very sick may need to be hospitalized, and their symptoms may last for several months. Most children under 6 years of age have mild or no symptoms.
Anyone without health insurance can get a free hepatitis A vaccine at Portland Public Health (39 Forest Ave.) on the following dates: October 17, 12 noon to 2 p.m.; October 18, 5 to 7 p.m. , October 19, 1 to 3 p.m.
For those with insurance, vaccines can be purchased without a prescription Monday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hannaford Pharmacy, located at 295 Forest Ave., Portland
The agency said the hepatitis A vaccine is a two-dose series. After one dose, at least 94 out of 100 people will become immune within several years. The second dose ensures long-term protection.
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