Business & Tech

Berries Sold at Costco Linked to Hepatitis Infections in Riverside County

Six cases of hepatitis A that are believed to be linked to frozen berries sold at Costco stores have been confirmed in California, including patients in Riverside County.

The following story was written by Patch Local Editor Guy McCarthy: 

Hepatitis A infections in San Bernardino and Riverside counties, as well as elsewhere in California and four other states, have been linked to a frozen berry blend sold in Costco stores, the California Department of Public Health and the federal Center for Disease Control warned Friday.

State health officials in Sacramento warned consumers not to eat Townsend Farms Organic Anti-Oxidant Blend of frozen berries because the product may be the cause of the multistate outbreak of acute hepatitis A infections. 

As of May 31, a total of 30 people with acute hepatitis A may have become ill because they consumed the contaminated product in Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona, and California, federal health officials said.

In California, six confirmed illnesses in persons who consumed the product had been reported: two cases in San Bernardino County, and one each in Riverside, Orange, San Diego and Humboldt counties, state health officials said. Three of the individuals were hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.

"People who have bought this product should discard it if still found in their home," Dr. Ron Chapman, CDPH Director and State Health Officer, said in a statement. "Anyone who has consumed this specific product in the last 14 days should contact their doctor to discuss possible hepatitis A prevention and treatment options."

Costco has removed this product from stores and is notifying member customers who have bought this product, state health officials said.

Symptoms of hepatitis A can include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, clay-colored bowel movements, joint pain and jaundice - a yellowing of the skin or eyes. Symptoms develop two to six weeks after consuming contaminated food or drink and can last from one week to several months.

"Most people recover completely, but sometimes hepatitis A can lead to hospitalization and severe illness," state health officials said. "It is very important that if you have symptoms like this you do not go to work, especially if you work in food service, health care or child care."

For more details read the CDPH fact sheet. People who develop symptoms of hepatitis should consult a health care provider.




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