NOTICE: Hepatitis A linked to frozen berry product
Update June 19, 2013: State and federal health officials issued a warning that over 118 people in 8 states, including 54 in California, are under investigation for being sick with Hepatitis A virus infections that appear to be associated with the consumption of ‘Townsend Farms Anti-Oxidant Blend’ frozen berry mix or frozen berry smoothies sold at Costco.
To date, there are no related cases reported in San Mateo County.
Of the 54 California residents who have reported consuming Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend before becoming ill with Hepatitis A infection, 20 people have been hospitalized, and there are no reported deaths.
The product is also sold as the Harris Teeter Organic Antioxidant Berry Blend, or frozen berry smoothies through Harris Teeter grocery stores on the east coast. The product may be sold at other stores, and the investigation is ongoing.
If you purchased the frozen berry mix or frozen berry smoothies sold at Costco or Harris Teeter grocery stores, you should not eat or drink them, and you should throw them out.
To date, there are no related cases reported in San Mateo County.
If you purchased the frozen berry mix or frozen berry smoothies sold at Costco or Harris Teeter grocery stores, you should not eat or drink them, and you should throw them out.
Update 6/12/13: Costco pharmacies are offering free Hepatitis A vaccine to customers who consumed Townsend Farms brand Organic Antioxidant Blend frozen berries from Costco. Costco is also offering to reimburse customers who consumed the berries and obtained the Hepatitis A vaccine elsewhere. Customers should contact the Costco pharmacy where they purchased the berries for details. Customers should bring their receipt for the recalled berries and documentation if they were vaccinated elsewhere.
If you did eat or drink any of these products in the last 14 days, and have not been previously vaccinated against Hepatitis A, contact your healthcare provider to discuss Hepatitis A prevention options. If you do not have a doctor or health insurance, contact the Health System at (650) 372-8572.
If you did eat or drink any of these products more than 14 days ago, it’s important to monitor yourself for symptoms of Hepatitis A, which can include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, light colored stool, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) and joint pain.
If you experience any of these symptoms, which can occur 15-50 days after being exposed, call your healthcare provider immediately. If you do not have a healthcare provider, go to an urgent care clinic or the emergency room.
Not all people infected with Hepatitis A will have symptoms, so if you did eat or drink any of these products, you should contact your doctor or if you don’t have a healthcare provider, call (650) 372-8572.
People who have had Hepatitis A or have been vaccinated for Hepatitis A in the past will not likely become ill with the disease.
Most children are vaccinated against Hepatitis A since the vaccine is included in the recommended childhood immunizations, with the first dose usually at age one to two and the second dose 6-18 months after the first dose.
Hepatitis A is a human disease and usually occurs when an infected food handler prepares food without appropriate hand hygiene. However, food contaminated with Hepatitis A, as is suspected in this outbreak, can cause outbreaks of disease among persons who eat or handle food.
More information
For more information on the Hepatitis A outbreak associated with these products, visit California Department of Public Health
More information about Hepatitis A is available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HAV/index.htm
San Mateo County Health System issued a public health alert to healthcare providers with information on case status, actions requested of clinicians, such as reporting suspected cases and testing, vaccine and treatment recommendations, and guidance for patients.
