FDA Recalls Strawberries Over Concerns of Hepatitis A

What to Do if You Believe You Have Been Exposed to Hepatitis A

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are jointly investigating the possibility of tainted strawberries leading to a massive outbreak of hepatitis A. The fresh organic strawberries in question were sold and marketed under the brand names FreshKampo and HEB.

At least 17 cases of hepatitis A have been confirmed in California, Minnesota, and North Dakota. There have also been reported cases in Canada. 12 of these individuals were hospitalized, however, there have been no fatalities tied to the outbreak.

About the Potentially Tainted Strawberries

The strawberries were sold at a large number of grocery stores located throughout the U.S. The stores that sold these strawberries were HEB, WinCo Foods, Aldi, Safeway, Kroger, Walmart, HEB, Sprouts Farmers Market, Trader Joe’s, and Weis Markets. The official FDA statement said that there could be more retailers that sold the strawberries.

The strawberries were sold at these locations between the dates of March 5 and April 25. The onset of illness for the infected individuals ranged from March 28 through April 30.

Although the shelf-life of these strawberries has long passed, authorities are concerned that consumers might have decided to freeze them for consumption at a later time. Authorities are advising that consumers throw out all frozen strawberries that are unmarked in case they came from a potentially contaminated batch.

According to the FDA, there is also the possibility that more brands or stores are added to the list of strawberries included in the recall as the investigation continues.

What to Do if You Consumed These Potentially Tainted Strawberries

The FDA said that those who consumed the recalled strawberries should seek the advice of a medical care professional immediately. This is particularly important if you have not been vaccinated against hepatitis A. A healthcare professional will be able to determine if you are in need of what is known as a post exposure prophylaxis (PEP).

A PEP encompasses a single dose of the hepatitis A vaccine or immunoglobulin administered within two weeks of the initial exposure. This immunization can trigger an immune response against the hepatitis A virus, helping to mitigate its danger to the body. Those who have previously been diagnosed with hepatitis A or have already received this vaccine will not require PEP.

What is Hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A is defined as a specific type of liver inflammation caused by the virus of the same name. The illness can cause a varying range of complications lasting for just a few weeks to several months. In some of the most severe cases, hepatitis A can lead to liver failure or death. Those most at risk at experiencing severe complications as a result of hepatitis A include the elderly or those with underlying health conditions.

In addition, those individuals with a history of other types of liver disease are also at a higher risk of developing life-threatening complications with hepatitis A. Adults are also more likely than children to exhibit symptoms if exposed.

Hepatitis A Symptoms

There are a variety of symptoms of hepatitis A at the beginning of the illness, making it difficult to distinguish from other types of health issues. Some of the most common symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, diarrhea, joint pain, lethargy or weakness, and a jaundice appearance.

The symptoms typically appear approximately two to seven weeks following personal contact with an infected individual or after eating contaminated food.

According to the CDC, frequent hand washing is one of the best ways to limit the spread of the virus. Consumers should also avoid unclean food and water.

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