Public well being officers mentioned they have been investigating an outbreak of hepatitis A within the United States and Canada that’s doubtlessly linked to natural strawberries.
American well being officers mentioned the outbreak more than likely got here from recent natural strawberries branded as FreshKampo and H-E-B that have been purchased between March 5 and April 25.
The strawberries have been offered at shops together with Aldi, H-E-B, Kroger, Safeway, Sprouts Farmers Market, Trader Joe’s, Walmart and Weis Markets, the Food and Drug Administration mentioned.
The strawberries are actually previous their shelf life, and individuals who purchased them between March 5 and April 25 ought to throw them out, even when they froze them to eat later, well being officers mentioned.
In the United States, the F.D.A. said it had recognized 17 circumstances of hepatitis A linked to the strawberries — 15 in California and one every in Minnesota and North Dakota. Twelve individuals have been hospitalized, the company mentioned.
In Canada, well being officers mentioned that they had confirmed 10 cases — 4 in Alberta and 6 in Saskatchewan. Four individuals have been hospitalized in that nation.
No deaths linked to the strawberries have been reported within the United States or Canada, in accordance to officers in each international locations.
Hepatitis A is a contagious virus which will trigger liver illness. It might be transmitted when meals is consumed after it was dealt with by somebody who didn’t comply with correct hand-washing hygiene, the F.D.A. said.
Symptoms normally develop 15 to 20 days after consuming the contaminated meals and might embody fatigue, nausea, vomiting, stomach ache, jaundice, darkish urine and pale stool, the F.D.A. mentioned.
People who imagine they could be contaminated or could have eaten the contaminated strawberries within the final two weeks ought to speak to their well being care supplier, the F.D.A. mentioned.
In a statement, H-E-B, which is predicated in Texas, mentioned that it had not obtained or offered natural strawberries from the provider underneath investigation since April 16.
“All strawberries sold at H-E-B are safe,” the corporate mentioned. “No illnesses from strawberries related to the F.D.A. investigation have been reported at H-E-B or in Texas.”
FreshKampo mentioned it was not transport recent natural strawberries linked to the outbreak. Those that have been offered between March 5 and April 25 got here in a plastic clamshell package deal with a label that learn, “Distributed by Meridian Fruits,” the corporate said in a statement.
“FreshKampo wants consumers to know that it will continue to work with health officials and supply chain partners to determine where a problem may have occurred along the supply chain and take necessary measures to prevent it from happening again,” the assertion mentioned.
