The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), a department within the state of Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services issued an exposure announcement on February 6, 2024 for a possible Hepatitis A exposure at two Westbrook restaurants – Legends Rest Tap Room and Paper City BBQ, both located at 855 Main Street in Westbrook. Here is what we know about this Hepatitis A exposure at 2 Westbrook Restaurants:
This announcement was made after discovering a potentially infectious food worker was on staff at the restaurants. Potentially exposed patrons and staff are encouraged to contact a health care provider.
According to reports, the food worker was on shift at one or both Westbrook restaurant locations, Legends Rest Tap Room and Paper City BBQ, located at 855 Main Street, on the following dates:
Patrons who dined in or ordered takeout from either of these locations during the dates listed above could be at risk for hepatitis A infection. Both restaurants are working closely with the Maine CDC and indicate that there is no concern about ongoing exposure outside of the posted dates.
Like most foodborne illnesses, feces is the contamination vector. An infected food handler may contaminate food, food surfaces, and commonly touched areas in a food service area if they do not exercise effective hygiene (i.e. avoiding work while shedding the virus, improper hand washing, etc.). Contamination can take place at any point during preparation, serving, or point of sale at food establishment.
In fact, according to a United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) paper, “The source of most reported foodborne hepatitis A outbreaks has been HAV [Hepatitis A Virus]-infected food handlers present at the point of sale (such as in a restaurant) or who prepare food for social events (such as a wedding).”
Based on surveillance data, “many hundreds” of restaurant workers have hepatitis A every year, though most do not transmit the virus to consumers or restaurant patrons. Proper handwashing practices and food handling reduces the risk of exposure, though an infected food worker should not be working while actively shedding the virus.
It only takes a microscopic amount of contaminated matter to transmit hepatitis A infection. These trace amounts of contamination can be so small that it can not be observed with the naked eye. You would have no idea if the food you consumed was contaminated.
Not everyone infected with hepatitis A will be symptomatic. In some cases, children do not experience symptoms at all.
Symptoms may include:
Symptoms usually appear between 2 to 7 weeks after exposure. In most cases symptoms will last less than 2 months, though some may remain ill for as long as 6 months.
If you have been potentially exposed to hepatitis A as a result of this possible exposure incident, there are a few things that you can do to minimize risk and/or help yourself and your community.
If you may have been impacted by this possible hepatitis A exposure event and have leftover food bought at either Legends Rest Tap Room and/or Paper City BBQ during any of the dates listed above, you should discard it.
Hepatitis A is a unique virus, in that vaccination within 14 days of exposure offers a prophylaxis affect and can prevent you from becoming infected. It is also the only commonly vaccinated foodborne illness.
While the vaccine is performed in a 2-dose series, there is about 94% effectiveness after just one dose. When the second dose is administered 6 months later, protection rises to nearly 100% and lasts for 20 years.
If you are eligible for vaccination and may have been impacted by this possible hepatitis A exposure event at either Legends Rest Tap Room and/or Paper City BBQ during any of the dates listed above, and it has been less than 14 days since eating or drink there or food from there, getting a Hepatitis A vaccination can help reduce your risk of infection.
If it has been more than 14 days after consuming food at either Legends Rest Tap Room and/or Paper City BBQ and you have not been previously vaccinated, you may still get the vaccine at any time to protect yourself against future exposures.
According to the Maine CDC announcement, those working at either restaurant during these dates should get a hepatitis vaccinated within 14 days of their last date worked.
Some individuals may benefit from receiving hepatitis A immune globulin (IG) in addition to the hepatitis A vaccine. This is something that your healthcare provider can advise you on.
If you are already vaccinated for hepatitis A, you already have protection and do not need to get additional hepatitis A vaccination doses as a result of this possible hepatitis A exposure event at Legends Rest Tap Room and/or Paper City BBQ.
The Maine CDC urges those who ate, drank, or worked at either Legends Rest Tap Room or Paper City BBQ during any of the possible exposure dates, to monitor themselves for hepatitis A symptoms mentioned above. According to the announcement, you should monitor symptoms “for up to 50 days from the last day you were there.”
If you were potentially exposed to hepatitis A as a result of this possible exposure event at Legends Rest Tap Room or Paper City BBQ during any of the possible exposure dates, it is a good idea to seek advice from an experienced hepatitis A exposure attorney.
The Lange Law Firm, PLLC and their talented team may be able to help you determine if you have a case and help you through the legal process if that is something you wish to pursue. They have helped many families with cases just like yours.
Call (833) 330-3663 for a free consultation or click the online submission form and someone will get back with you shortly.
By: Heather Van Tassell
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