Health authorities in Maine have identified a case of hepatitis in a restaurant worker resulting in potential infection of customers.  The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention identified two restaurants in Westbrook, adjacent to Portland, where the infected carrier worked over the period January 14^th through February 4^th.  Diners in the specified restaurants during the risk period should seek preemptive vaccination if they are concerned or consult a medical professional if they develop any symptoms suggesting infection with hepatitis A virus.

Although the majority of the 40 to 50 thousand diagnosed cases of hepatitis A resulting in 30 thousand hospitalizations have occurred among the homeless, in prison populations and among IV drug users, restaurant workers and food handlers have the potential to infect many others in the work environment with obvious implications for diners. This and many other similar incidents highlight the need for compulsory vaccination of workers handling, preparing or serving food against hepatitis A. Any shedder of the virus even if asymptomatic, can contribute to local outbreaks that can have severe health and financial outcomes.