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Infection wave Numerous hepatitis A diseases due to contaminated strawberries in smoothies
In the United States, imported strawberries triggered another hepatitis A outbreak. The frozen strawberries were used to make smoothies. 18 people were infected with hepatitis A this time. In total, there are now 69 sick people. Of all the states, Virginia was hardest hit. There are 55 people suffering from hepatitis A alone.
Again and again there are incidents with contaminated food. Now, a total of 69 people in the United States are infected with hepatitis A. The transmission is associated with imported strawberries. The illnesses occurred in six different states, state the employees of the State Health Department.
Usually, we assume that smoothies are good for our health. But this does not always have to be this way. Experts in the US have now discovered that contaminated strawberries have triggered a hepatitis A outbreak in smoothies. (Image: Alexander Raths / fotolia.com) Restaurant in Virginia sold contaminated smoothies
Most affected was the so-called Tropical Smoothie Cafe Virginia. Each of the 55 people infected with Virginia had previously consumed a smoothie with strawberries in this restaurant. Although officials from West Virginia did not name a specific restaurant in a statement, they identified frozen strawberries from Egypt as the probable cause of at least seven cases in Virginia.
CDC detects further infections in different states
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are now conducting an epidemiological study of the outbreak, a CDC spokeswoman explains. As soon as new information becomes public, it will be published on the agency's website. Already on Tuesday, the CDC experts announced that four new infected were discovered in Maryland. There was also a new case of hepatitis A in North Carolina, Oregon and Wisconsin.
Infections also possible through a human-to-human transmission
The Tropical Smoothie Café commented on the hepatitis A outbreak that they have already withdrawn all potentially affected strawberries at all sites. While there is no evidence of an existing hazard from strawberries, there may still be a human-to-human transmission of hepatitis A viruses, commented West Virginia department of health officials. The disease does not only occur in humans. Hepatitis A viruses have also been found in seals.
55 people from Virginia between the ages of 14 and 68 are infected
About 46 percent of those affected had to be hospitalized, according to CDC data. However, the values only refer to available data. The 55 people in Virginia were between the ages of 14 and 68 years. The diseases with hepatitis A occurred in the period from early May to August.
Doctor visit advised
Public health officials are now pushing for any person who has had frozen strawberry smoothies to visit a doctor to check for hepatitis A symptoms for the past 50 days. The symptoms usually develop in a period of 15 to 50 days. Every person with symptoms of hepatitis A should urgently consult a doctor, the experts demand.
What are the symptoms of hepatitis A?
The classic symptoms of hepatitis A are jaundice (jaundice), fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine and pale bowel movements. The virus can be transmitted to other people by direct contact with hepatitis A sufferers. It can also get into the human body by ingesting contaminated food or drink. (As)