Contra Costa County Public Health Officials have issued a warning over the weekend regarding Hepatitis A which may be linked to Townsend Farm Frozen Berries. This appears to be a multistate outbreak which the berries are sold at Costco stores. Here is the Press Release that went out June 2, 2013.
Contra Costa hepatitis A case may be linked to Townsend Farms Frozen Berries
Health officials warn residents not to eat product
A case of hepatitis A in Contra Costa County may be linked to a multistate outbreak being investigated in connection with Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend of frozen berries sold at Costco stores. Local health officials warn residents not to eat the berries and urge anyone who has eaten the product in the last 14 days to contact their health care provider about getting vaccinated to help prevent the illness.
About 2100 bags of frozen berries were sold at Costco stores throughout Contra Costa County since February. A 62-year-old woman from East Contra Costa County was hospitalized after becoming ill with hepatitis last month and has since recovered. She purchased the frozen berry blend from a Costco in Contra Costa and her illness is likely connected to the berries.
According to state and federal health officials, which issued a warning on Friday, about 30 people in 5 states, including California, have gotten sick with hepatitis A after eating Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend of frozen berries – a mixture of cherries, blueberries, pomegranate seeds, raspberries and strawberries – purchased from Costco stores. Costco has taken the product off its store shelves, and is alerting consumers who purchased the product since late February 2013 not to eat it. The product may also be sold at other stores, and the investigation is ongoing. Contra Costa Public Health will continue to work with the California Department of Public Health and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the outbreak.
Hepatitis A illness can start between two and six weeks after exposure. Common symptoms are dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing of skin and white parts of eyes (called jaundice), diarrhea or light-colored stool, fever/chills, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, upset stomach, stomach pain in the upper right side of the belly, and fatigue. Hepatitis A disease can be mild, especially in children, or it can be severe, with symptoms lasting several months and requiring hospitalization. People who get sick, even with mild symptoms, after eating the berries should contact their health care provider right away.
People who have had hepatitis A before or have been vaccinated are likely immune. People who may have been exposed to hepatitis A can be vaccinated within 14 days of exposure. More information about hepatitis A is available on the Contra Costa Health Services website at http://cchealth.org/hepatitis-a/
Here is more information provided via the County Website
What is hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A disease is an infection of the liver. Hepatitis A disease is caused by a virus. This disease is serious because the virus affects the liver, a vital organ of the body.
What are the symptoms of hepatitis A disease?
- Dark yellow/brown urine
- Yellowing of skin and white parts of eyes (called jaundice)
- Diarrhea or light-colored (grey) stool
- Fever, chills
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Upset stomach
- Stomach pain (especially near the liver)
- Fatigue (tiredness)
- Joint/muscle pain
Symptoms of hepatitis A can start between 2 to 6 weeks after exposure. Hepatitis A may cause no symptoms in many young children and mild flu-like symptoms in older children and adults.
How is hepatitis A spread?
Hepatitis A virus is spread person to person. The virus is present in the stool of an infected person. Hepatitis A is typically spread when objects, food or drinks are contaminated with stool from an infected person. Hepatitis A can be spread easily in restaurant or in home and daycare settings by eating food contaminated with hepatitis A or changing diapers of hepatitis A infected individuals. People can also get hepatitis A from eating raw or undercooked clams, oysters and muscles from waters contaminated with hepatitis A.
Who can get hepatitis A disease?
A history of hepatitis A results in immunity to the illness and protects from future hepatitis A illness. Persons who have never had Hepatitis A disease or received a vaccine to protect from Hepatitis A can get Hepatitis A disease. If you are a close contact to a person with hepatitis A disease you may benefit from Hepatitis A vaccine to help protect you from getting ill.
What is the treatment for hepatitis A disease?
There is no medicine to treat hepatitis A disease. Illness can last from a few weeks to several months. Consult with your health care provider if you have symptoms for hepatitis A disease the provider may suggest medicines to help relieve your symptoms. Also, it is important to remember to get plenty of rest, eat healthy foods (low in fat and high in protein) and avoid alcohol and fatty foods because they are hard on the liver.
How is hepatitis A disease prevented?
- Get vaccinated. Hepatitis A vaccine is a series of 2 shots given 6 months apart which will protect you from getting the disease for the rest of your life. Ask your health care provider about this vaccine.
- Frequent hand washing is important. Wash your hands with warm water and soap before eating, before making meals, after using the toilet, and after handling diapers
- Do not swim in contaminated waters or posted as “no swimming” to avoid exposure
- If you have hepatitis A disease now: Do not make meals or serve food to others; do not handle plates, drinking glasses or silverware that other people use. Use your own dishes, silverware, sheets and towels and wash them in hot, soapy water after use. Hepatitis A disease is reported to the local public health department so you can expect a call from public health.
- If you are exposed to hepatitis A disease: ask your doctor about getting an “IG” (immune globulin) shot or Hepatitis A vaccine within two weeks after being exposed.
