Maine Health Officials Warn Moosehead Lake Restaurant Is at Risk of Spreading Hepatitis A

Maine health officials recently warned that customers at a Moosehead Lake restaurant are at risk of developing hepatitis A.

Robert Long, a Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention spokesperson, said that an employee at The Birches Resort had hepatitis A handled food. At the same time, he was contagious between September 2 and September 22.

Long added any customer who dined or ordered food for takeout, delivery, or pick-up from the Rockwood restaurant is at high risk of contracting the disease.

Furthermore, the spokesperson also said anyone who may have consumed food or worked at the said restaurant between September 16 and September 22 need to "get vaccinated within 14 days of their exposure."

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Hepatitis A Symptoms to Watch For

According to health experts, vaccination is not recommended for people beyond the 14-day window, the period when it is effective against infection.

However, those who ate or worked at The Birches between September 2 and September 15 should watch for hepatitis A symptoms, which can appear 15 to 50 days from exposure.

The United States CDC said that liver infection hepatitis A symptoms include "fatigue, vomiting or nausea, jaundice, dark urine, and stomach ache." Experience of the said indications can last up to two months.

The federal health agency said that most individuals who develop hepatitis A do not suffer from long-term or long-lasting diseases.

Also, toxins, certain medications, heavy use of alcohol, and bacterial and viral infections are among the causes of hepatitis.

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Preventive Measures

Typically, the CDC said symptoms disappear on their own although, they can result in severe health conditions, including death, in individuals who already have poor health.

The Maine CDC said the best way to prevent the liver infection is by getting vaccinated, practicing good hygiene. The latter-mentioned approach dramatically contributes to the prevention of the spread of hepatitis A.

The Main CDC has also strongly recommended the vaccination for hepatitis A for individuals using drugs, whether injection or non-injection, those who are going through homelessness, men having sex with men, and "people who are, or ere recently imprisoned."

Previous Hepatitis A Cases in Maine

In June this year, a sharp increase in hepatitis A cases was reported in three Maine counties, including Penobscot, Somerset, and York. The increase, according to a release by the Maine CDC, is based on cases in the state since February 2020.

During that time, Maine has reportedly had seven to 10 cases of hepatitis A each year during the last 10 years, although in 2019, the number was more than thrice with a total of 45 cases.

As indicated in the release, the said "increase was driven by a restaurant-related outbreak" and cases associated with the use of injection drug or housing insecurity.

Since January 1 this year, according to Maine CDC's June 2020 release, the health department had identified 39 hepatitis A cases across the state. However, recent case investigations at that time had not determined a source of such infections.

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