Several U.S. and Canadian health agencies are investigating a potentially related hepatitis A outbreak related to organic strawberries purchased in March and April.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned consumers not to eat the FreshKampo and HEB strawberry brands sold at major grocery stores, including Aldi, Kroger, Safeway, Sprouts Farmers Market, Trader’s Joe’s, Walmart. and other important chains.
“Epidemiological and follow-up data show that fresh organic strawberries sold as FreshKampo and HEB brands purchased between March 5, 2022 and April 25, 2022, are a likely cause of disease in this outbreak.” , said the agency.
According to an announcement, the FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, along with state and local partners, are investigating the infections. .
Cases of hepatitis A reported in California, Minnesota and Canada were traced back to people who bought the brands of organic strawberries, the FDA said.
A total of 17 cases were reported in the U.S., including 15 in California, one in Minnesota and one in North Dakota, and 12 hospitalizations. The last outbreak of the disease was reported on April 30.
Although the strawberries have already exceeded their shelf life, the FDA has warned that people who may have frozen the fruit should throw them away. The agency also encouraged people to contact their healthcare provider if they believe they have symptoms of a hepatitis A infection.
These symptoms can include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, and other illnesses and usually occur after someone eats or drinks contaminated food or water.
The strawberry-related outbreak comes amid a worldwide outbreak of pediatric hepatitis.
Concerns over the arrival of ObamaCare premium peaks intensify school boarders say students are socially and emotionally frozen in the midst of the pandemic: NYT poll
The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Sunday that 650 pediatric cases of severe hepatitis had been reported in 33 countries between April 5 and May 26.
The CDC has issued new guidance on adenovirus testing in children as a possible cause of pediatric outbreaks, but it is unclear if the two are related.