BOOTHBAY HARBOR (WGME) — A food service worker in Boothbay Harbor with a case of acute hepatitis A virus infection prepared food in Augusta and September, the Maine CDC said.

Saturday morning the Maine Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued an alert for the situation, which started on Aug. 18 and ran through Sept. 8.

“A public health assessment of the individual’s illness determined that Cap’n Fish’s Boothbay Harbor Boat Trip patrons may be at risk for hepatitis A infection,” the Maine CDC’s statement said. “To reduce the likelihood of illness, Maine CDC recommends the hepatitis A vaccine to anyone who ate, drank, or worked at Cap’n Fish’s Boothbay Harbor Boat Trips in Maine on September 2, 4, and 5.”

Officials also suggest any “immunocompromised” people or parents of children under 12 months old should see their health care provide about receiving the vaccine as well.

Anyone who visited the Cap’n Fish’s Boothbay Harbor Boat Trips on August 19, 21, 22, 23 24, 26, 28, 29 and 30 :could have been exposed but are outside the window for which the vaccine could help prevent illness from this exposure,” the Maine CDC said.

People should watch for symptoms and seek medical attention if they develop any symptoms.

Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable, contagious liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus. Symptons can range from mild illness to severe sickness requiring hospitalization, perhaps for months.

Hepatitis A can be spread through contaminated food or water, especially in food prepared by a person who is infected. Symptoms will begin to show within in 15 to 50 days after exposure to the virus, and an infected person is infectious and can spread the virus to others approximately two weeks before symptoms start until one week after symptoms end.

The Maine CDC is working with the business owner and local health care providers to notify the public and minimize risk of further exposure.

For more information on hepatitis A, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hav/index.htm.