Hepatitis A Outbreak Caused by Strawberries Reaches 7 States, 89 Cases Confirmed

More people from different states are being affected by the continuing outbreak of foodborne hepatitis A caused by strawberries imported from Egypt.

According to the report from CNN, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed 89 cases of hepatitis A linked to the contaminated frozen strawberries. These include 70 people in Virginia, 10 in Maryland, five in West Virginia, one in New York, one in North Carolina, one in Wisconsin and one in Oregon. About 39 people were in need of hospital care due to the virus. However, no deaths from the outbreak have been reported.

Nearly all of the patients reported drinking smoothies containing strawberries in Tropical Smoothies Café branches located in Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. The frozen strawberries used in these branches were imported from Egypt. Since the first appearance of the outbreak in Virginia, Tropical Smoothies Café has stopped using the contaminated strawberries and has switched to different supplier.

Additional cases are expected to appear in the next few weeks due to the long incubation period of the virus. Hepatitis A is considered to be highly contagious and can cause inflammation in the liver. Symptoms of the viral infection include jaundice, fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine and light colored stool.

Previously, Nature World News reported that consumers who have ordered smoothies with frozen strawberries served at Tropical Smoothies Café from Aug.5 to 8 to receive vaccination or take an immune globulin to prevent acquiring Hepatitis A. When taken shortly after exposure, the vaccine or medicine can help prevent a person from acquiring the virus. About 95 percent decline in hepatitis A infections were observed since the introduction of the vaccine in 1995.

 Health officials noted that anyone who consumed a smoothie with strawberries after August 8 is not at risk for hepatitis A.