Hawaii is now added to the list of states in the Costco Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend Frozen Berry mix hepatitis A outbreak. Other states affected include Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, and New Mexico. Thirty-two people are now sick in this outbreak. Because the product was sold at Costco, and that grocery store chain has outlets in all 50 states, it’s likely that more states will be included in this outbreak.
Public health officials are investigating to see if this specific product was sold through other retail outlets or venues. State health departments, the FDA, and CDC are investigating. Costco has been selling this product since late February 2013. The product is no longer on store shelves.
Because the product in question is frozen, consumers most likely have some in their freezers. Please check your freezer to see if you have Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend Frozen Berry Mix. If you do, discard the package, even if it has been opened.
The symptoms of hepatitis A include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fatigue, fever, abdominal pain, dark urine, clay-colored feces, joint pain, and jaundice. The symptoms usually appear 2 to 6 weeks after exposure and develop over a few days. Symptoms usually last less than two months, but some people can be sick for six months. Some people can develop liver failure as a result of this infection.
You can get a shot to prevent hepatitis A if you have consumed this product. The CDC says that if you have not been vaccinated against the virus, you can receive the hepatitis A vaccine or immune globulin, but only if it has been two weeks or less since you ate the berries. People between the ages of 12 months and 40 years should get the hepatitis A vaccine, and those under 12 months of age, over 40, or are immune compromised or have liver disease should get the immune globulin vaccine.
Attorneys Fred Pritzker and his team are helping the many hepatitis A victims who have contacted them. Pritzker helps hepatitis A victims and their families get compensation for hospital and other expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other damages.
I have used townsend berries for my morning nutrition drink for months. Have had some symptoms ,but not sure if it was a result of the berries. Interested in what causes Hep A in foods.
What else can one possibly expect when there’s no testing of organic food?