Frozen berries blamed for Hepatitis A outbreak, It is frightening health news that officials linked to a frozen berry blend sold by retail giant Costco.
Hepatitis A infections have been reported in Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona, and California. No cases have been reported in Alabama or surrounding states.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a statement Friday, reporting that people first fell ill on April 29 and the most recent case was May 17. Officials say more illnesses are expected to follow.
The CDC reports that the strain of hepatitis A seen in this outbreak is rarely seen in the U.S.
According to the statement, the hepatitis A appears to be coming from The Townsend Farms Organic Anti-oxidant Blend Frozen Berry Mix, a frozen berry and pomegranate seed mix. Costco is notifying all members who purchased the product since late February and has removed it from its shelves.
Hepatitis A is a very contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. Of the people who have gotten sick, 47% have been hospitalized. Some people have no symptoms but many have fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal and joint pain.
The virus is often transmitted when an infected worker handles food with dirty hands. Food contaminated with hepatitis A can transmit the disease to people who eat or handled it.
The berry blend contained pomegranate seeds and other produce from the US, Argentina, Chile, and Turkey.
Saturday, June 1, 2013
Frozen berries blamed for Hepatitis A outbreak
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