FDA investigates Hepatitis A outbreak that might be connected to organic strawberries
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The US Food and Drug Administration is currently investigating a possible outbreak of Hepatitis A.
It might be linked to two brands of organic strawberries sold at major grocery stores all across the USA and Canada.
Here is everyone you need to know.
FDA investigates an outbreak of Hepatitis A that may be linked to strawberries
The FDA is investigating a potential Hepatitis A multistate outbreak.
They are also looking for the cases of infections in the USA and Canada that might be connected to FreshKampo and HEB branded organic strawberries.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and other local partners are also investigating the outbreak.
The FDA, along with CDC, Canadian, state, and local partners are investigating a multistate outbreak of hepatitis A in the U.S. & Canada potentially linked to fresh organic strawberries branded as FreshKampo & HEB, purchased between March 5 & April 25. https://t.co/7eCsxY5Une pic.twitter.com/prtfw9UWQB
— U.S. FDA (@US_FDA) May 28, 2022Advertisement
The agencies are specifically looking for the affected strawberries purchased between 5th March 2022, and 25th April 2022 at nationwide retailer stores. Some of them include Aldi, HEB, Kroger, Safeway, Sprouts Farmers Market, Trader Joe’s, Walmart, Weis Markets along with WinCo Foods.
The FDA mentioned, ‘If you are unsure of what brand you purchased when you purchased your strawberries, or where you purchased them from before freezing them, the strawberries should be thrown away.’
These products were sold at the following retailers, including, but not limited to:
— U.S. FDA (@US_FDA) May 28, 2022
➡️ Aldi
➡️ HEB
➡️ Kroger
➡️ Safeway
➡️ Sprouts Farmers Market
➡️ Trader Joe’s
➡️ Walmart
➡️ Weis Markets
➡️ WinCo Foods
The FDA has said that 17 cases of Hepatitis A have been reported as of yet with 12 of them being hospitalizations. California reported the higher number with 15 people being infected, while Minnesota and North Dakota reported one case each.
What are the symptoms of Hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable contagious illness that can cause liver infection.
A hepatitis A virus (HAV) disease ranges in severity. It might cause a mild infection that lasts for only a few weeks. But it can also cause a severe infection that can last for some months.
It might however be dangerous for people with pre-existing health issues and individuals with weakened immune systems. There were some rare cases where hepatitis A infection had progressed to liver failure that eventually led to death.
Symptoms of Hepatitis A include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, jaundice, dark urine, and pale stool. These may last up to at least two months.
The virus may spread if you are close to the infected person. You can also contact it by eating contaminated food and beverages.
As this investigation is ongoing, additional products may be included. More information will be provided as it becomes available.
— U.S. FDA (@US_FDA) May 28, 2022
Hepatitis A illness most commonly occurs within 15 to 50 days of eating tainted food.
You should contact your health provider if you notice any of the above symptoms.
