The Food and Drug Administration has recently issued a public health alert which states that frozen berries may be contaminated with Hepatitis A virus. It appears that a sample of frozen berries was investigated by the department and was found to be infected by the virus.
Which products have been recalled?
Although there have been no cases which reveal an infection by the virus due to the consumption of these berries, the FDI is still asking people two either throw away the products or return them.
The berries that have been recalled are produced by Towns and Farms and were sold at a Costco in San Diego and Los Angeles, California and in Hawaii. They are being sold as Kirkland Signature Three Berry in a 4-pound bag.
If you are one of those people who consumed the berries since last Wednesday and are not vaccinated by Hepatitis A virus, it is highly recommended that you consult your healthcare provider in order to get a post-exposure prophylaxis vaccine. This vaccine can be given to people up to two weeks after their first contact with the virus.
How were the berries infected?
Readers should note that the virus is highly contagious and can cause serious illness if it is not treated. Liver infection is the leading cause of death among people who are infected by Hepatitis A.
Since the introduction of the vaccine in 1995, people infected by the virus have reduced to merely 5%. However, it appears that the disease has not been eradicated completely and outbreaks are still happening now and then.
The infection can occur by ingesting contaminated food or drinks which contain a small amount of faeces from an infected person.