Customers of A Frame Espresso in Fort Bragg, CA who ordered smoothies between March 4 and June 8 are at risk of hepatitis A infection. The coffee shop used recalled Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend berries to make the smoothies, the Mendocino County Public Health Department has warned. The berries, which were sold at Coscto stores, have been associated with an outbreak of hepatitis A that has sickened at least 119 people in seven states. The cases by state are as follows: Arizona (16), California (61), Colorado (24), Hawaii (5), New Mexico (5), Nevada (5), and Utah (3). Hepatitis A is a virus that causes liver inflammation. Symptoms can take up to seven weeks after exposure to develop and include: fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, vomiting, stomach pain, and yellowing of … [Read more...]
Hepatitis A Cases Decline Despite Townsend Farms Outbreak
The nationwide Hepatitis A outbreak associated with Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend frozen berry mix has grabbed headlines in the last few weeks. At least 79 people have been sickened in this outbreak, and 30 people are in the hospital as a result of the infection. But cases of Hepatitis A have been declining in the United States in the past 30 years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that Hepatitis A illnesses have declined by 95% since 1995 when the preventative vaccine against the virus first became available. In 2010, the incidence rate was 0.6 cases per 100,000 people, the lowest rate ever. Children are routinely vaccinated against the virus, as they are against many other diseases. And the government recommends that many adults receive the vaccination, … [Read more...]
Five In Hawaii Among 79 Sickened in Hepatitis Outbreak Associated with Frozen Berries Sold at Costco
At least five people in Hawaii are among the 79 in eight states who have been sickened in a hepatitis A outbreak associated with frozen mixed berries sold at Costco. Some of that cases were on Oahu and Kauai. All of them reported eating frozen mixed berries they purchased from Costco before becoming ill. At least one person was briefly hospitalized. Hepatitis A is a virus that affects the liver. Symptoms develop two to seven weeks after exposure and include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, abdominal discomfort, dark urine, clay-colored stools and yellow skin or eyes. In some cases, liver failure can occur. There is a vaccine that, if taken within 14 days of exposure, can prevent illness. Consumers who ate the berries or are worried they may have been exposed should see a … [Read more...]
