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Is Hepatitis A contagious? FDA investigating virus outbreak linked to organic strawberries

So far, the FDA has reported 17 illnesses and 12 hospitalizations connected to consumption of the strawberries

RED ALERT: The Food and Drug Administration is investigating batches of strawberries in the United States and Canada that were sold at Aldi, HEB, Kroger, Safeway, Sprouts Farmers Market, Trader Joe's, Walmart, Weis Markets, and WinCo Foods, among others after the strawberries were linked to Hepatitis A outbreak resulting to 17 illnesses and leaving 12 people hospitalized. According to the FDA that strawberries bought between March 5, 2022, and April 25, 2022, were affected, so it's likely that most consumers will have either eaten or already thrown them away.

Reportedly, the outbreak impacts HEB and FreshKampo brand strawberries. The agency is "investigating a multistate outbreak of hepatitis A infections in the United States and Canada potentially linked to fresh organic strawberries branded as FreshKampo and HEB," the FDA website says. And as per the officials, HEB and FreshKampo strawberries bought between March 5, 2022, and April 25, 2022, are affected and should be disposed of immediately. However, there's no statement that strawberries bought outside those dates are affected, and fruit bought today would be safe to eat. The FDA believes that the outbreak infected organic strawberries packaged by the two companies.

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According to the press release, these products were sold at the following retailers:

Aldi
HEB
Kroger
Safeway
Sprouts Farmers Market
Trader Joe’s
Walmart
Weis Markets
WinCo Foods

Symptoms of Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A can cause mild illness that lasts for weeks and in some cases, it can also cause severe illness that can last up to months. The virus further causes a loss of appetite, fatigue, and abdominal pain. Moreover, in rare cases the infection can cause liver disease and death, the FDA said. Most people that are infected fully recover within a few weeks. And, the virus can spread from personal contact with an infected person.

Who is at risk from Hepatitis A?

The risk for person-to-person transmission of hepatitis A virus (HAV) continues during the Covid-19 pandemic. The hepatitis A vaccine is the best way to prevent HAV infection. At high risk are drug users (injection or non-injection), homeless, men who have sex with men (MSM), people who are currently or were recently incarcerated
and also those suffering from chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C.

Precautions to take

So far, the FDA has reported 17 illnesses and 12 hospitalizations connected to consumption of the strawberries. California saw 15 cases, while Minnesota and North Dakota saw one case each. "If you are unsure of what brand you purchased when you purchased your strawberries, or where you purchased them from prior to freezing them, the strawberries should be thrown away," the FDA said. 

"If consumers purchased fresh organic strawberries branded as FreshKampo or HEB between March 5, 2022, and April 25, 2022, ate those berries in the last two weeks, and have not been vaccinated against hepatitis A, they should immediately consult with their healthcare professional to determine whether post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is needed. PEP is recommended for unvaccinated people who have been exposed to hepatitis A virus in the last two weeks because vaccination can prevent a hepatitis A infection if given within 14 days of exposure," FDA added. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency are also investigating.

Previous cases of Hepatitis A outbreak

The CDC has previously dealt with a Hepatitis A outbreak in 2016 when by December 2016, 143 people with hepatitis A had been reported from nine states. The hepatitis A virus infection had been linked to Tropical Smoothie Café as a result of a contaminated product. 129 of these cases reported eating a smoothie from Tropical Smoothie Café. The product in question had been frozen strawberries, then as well.