Utah Public Health has identified three cases of hepatitis A infection associated with consumption of a contaminated product sold in Costco stores. The contaminated food has been identified as Townsend Farms Organic Anti-oxidant Blend frozen berry mix that contained pomegranate seeds and other produce from the U.S., Argentina, Chile and Turkey. Costco is notifying its members who purchased this product since late February 2013, and has removed this product from its shelves. Consumers are advised not to eat ‘Townsend Farms Organic Anti-Oxidant Blend’ and discard any remaining product from freezers. Even if some of the product has been eaten without anyone in the home becoming ill, the rest of the product should be discarded. For current information on this outbreak, visit http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/Outbreaks/2013/A1b-03-31/index.html.
Confirmed cases in Utah have been reported in Davis County, Kane County and Utah County. Onset dates range from mid-April to mid-May. As of June 3, 2013, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 34 people ill with acute hepatitis A that may be linked to the same outbreak in five states: Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona, and California. These numbers are expected to change as the investigation continues. Investigation by state health departments, FDA, and the CDC is ongoing.
Providers are asked to contact the Utah Department of Health at 801-538-6191 or your local health department regarding any patients who may have been exposed to the contaminated food and exhibit the following symptoms: jaundice, abdominal pain, pale stools and dark urine. Contact your local health department for information about hepatitis A IG. You can find local health department information at http://www.ualhd.org/lhds.html.
• Hepatitis A vaccine can be given to persons between one year and 40 years of age.
If you feel like your child has been exposed or is having symptoms please call our office today to get an appointment with your doctor.
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