US, Canada outbreaks of hepatitis A, suspected to be related to organic strawberries

According to the news agency Reutersthe authorities suspect the outbreak Hepatitis A related to an organic strawberry distributed in the US and Canada.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said the country had 15 suspected strawberry-related hepatitis A cases recorded in California, 1 case in Minnesota and 1 case in North Dakota. 12/17 of these patients were hospitalized.

Some organic fresh strawberry products are believed to be the source of dozens of hepatitis A outbreaks – Photo: REUTERS

The FDA further informed that the product in question was distributed nationally under the FreshKampo or HEB brands between March 5 and April 25.

Public Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency are also investigating similar hepatitis A cases in the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan; also related to organic strawberries imported from 5 to 9 March. This product is currently out of stock in Canada.

“Based on the results of the investigation to date, the consumption of imported fresh organic strawberries is the likely source of the outbreak” – Reuters quote a statement from Canadian authorities.

Meanwhile, the FDA recommends that people who have purchased these fresh strawberries and are freezing them should throw them away.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), hepatitis A, fully known as hepatitis A virus, is caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV), which is transmitted when an unvaccinated person comes in contact with food. or water contaminated with the virus, or in direct contact with someone who is sick.

Most cases of hepatitis A fully recover and provide lifelong immunity, there is also a low mortality rate from fulminant hepatitis (only 0.5%) of deaths from viral hepatitis. Prevention Hepatitis A prevention includes vaccines, washing hands, ensuring people have access to clean water and managing food hygiene.