- A restaurant employee in Maine came to work infected with hepatitis A
- Despite the risk of exposure, Marco’s Italian restaurant remains open to the public
- READ MORE: Hepatitis A outbreak affects strawberries at Trader Joe’s, Costco and Aldi
A restaurant in Maine warned customers that they may have been exposed to the highly contagious liver disease hepatitis A, transmitted by an infected employee.
An employee at Marco’s Italian restaurant in Lewiston, Maine, came to work several days last month while infected with the disease, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention announced this week.
Officials said diners who ate or ordered drinks at Marco’s may be at risk for hepatitis A.
However, no cases have been reported so far by customers or other employees.
The infected employee worked during the infectious period of the disease on the following dates in September: 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20, 21, 22, 25, 27, and 28. The employee reportedly works 10 hours per week.
Duane Arnold, co-owner of the restaurant, said, “Despite this isolated case, the state CDC has determined that there is no direct risk to our customers or staff, and we are open.”
An employee at Marco’s Italian restaurant in Lewiston, Maine, came to work several days last month while infected with the disease, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention announced this week.
“We are committed to transparency and will continue to work with the state CDC to ensure the continued safety of our customers and employees,” Arnold said.
“We are fully committed to maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness, safety and great food.”
Hepatitis A is a highly contagious viral liver disease and is one of the most common causes of foodborne infections.
The virus is often found in the feces and blood of an infected person and if they have traces of human excrement on their hands when handling food, this could contaminate them.
Not all people with hepatitis A develop symptoms, but those who do usually experience them a few weeks after contracting the virus.
According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms include unusual tiredness or weakness, sudden nausea and vomiting or diarrhea, abdominal pain, clay-colored and gray stools, loss of appetite, low-grade fever, dark urine, joint pain, jaundice, and intense itching.
Anyone who has not been vaccinated or has never been infected with the hepatitis A virus is at risk.
Other risk factors include poor sanitation, lack of clean water, recreational drug use, living or having sex with an infected person, and traveling to high-risk areas without being vaccinated.
Mild cases do not require treatment, and most infected people recover without permanent liver damage. However, hepatitis A can sometimes cause serious illness.
The Maine CDC recommended that people who have been exposed to hepatitis A discard any food purchased at restaurants on the previous dates, get vaccinated against the virus, and seek medical attention if symptoms appear.
