Since March 31, 159 people in 10 states have been diagnosed with hepatitis A infections from eating contaminated Townsend Farms frozen berries purchased from Costco stores. Hepatitis A is a highly contagious viral infection and those who have it should stay home from work. Symptoms include mild fever, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, dark urine, clay colored stools and jaundice. The contaminated berries were sold at other store, but only berries purchased from Costco were linked to illnesses. Following is a timeline of key dates in the outbreak investigation in 2013. May 31, Colorado Department of Public Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announce an investigation of a hepatitis A outbreak … [Read more...]
On World Hepatitis Day, 153 Sick From Townsend Farms Berries
World Hepatitis Day, July 28, is a public health initiative meant to raise awareness about a viral Hepatitis which affects 400 million people worldwide and is considered a major public health threat. Of the 400 million people worldwide estimated to be infected, 4.4 million live in the U.S. The five main types of the virus are: Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. All of them cause inflammation of the liver; but B and C can result in a lifelong, chronic infection. Hepatitis A has been in the headlines since June when an outbreak associated with frozen berries made by Townsend Farms and sold at Costco was first announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As of July 24, 2013, 153 people are confirmed to have contracted hepatitis A after eating ‘Townsend Farms Organic … [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...]
