40 Cases of Hepatitis A Linked to Smoothies With Egyptian-Sourced Berries

A Hepatitis A outbreak in Virginia has been linked to Egyptian-sourced frozen fruit used in Tropical Smoothie Cafe drinks.

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At least 40 cases of Hepatitis A connected to frozen fruit used at multiple Tropical Smoothie Cafe locations have now been confirmed, the Virginia Department of Health announced Tuesday. The product in question, frozen strawberries from Egypt, have since been removed from all Tropical Smoothie locations in the state.

In addition to Virginia's outbreak and ensuing investigation, NBC Newsreports that Virginia is "not the only state" potentially impacted by the Egyptian-sourced series. Tropical Smoothie Cafe currently boasts more than 500 franchise locations across the United States.

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Earlier this month, Virginia health officials warned residents of an increased risk for Hepatitis A. The smoothies from Tropical Smoothie were then only identified as a "potential association," again pointing to past outbreaks stemming from the frozen strawberries:

Individuals who consumed a smoothie from a Tropical Smoothie Cafe in Virginia that contained frozen strawberries, on August 5, 6, 7 or 8, 2016, may still benefit from vaccine or immune globulin to prevent Hepatitis A. (Vaccine or immune globulin administered within two weeks of exposure to Hepatitis A virus is effective at preventing the disease.) If you have had hepatitis A or have been vaccinated for Hepatitis A, you are already immune and therefore not at risk for getting the disease. Anyone who consumed a smoothie after the frozen strawberries were removed from restaurants is not thought to be at risk for Hepatitis A.

The latest findings also revealed that roughly half of those who tested positive for Hepatitis A have since been hospitalized, with the impacted individuals ranging in age from 15 to 18 years old.

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The CDC describes Hepatitis A as a "liver infection," noting that the virus is highly contagious and generally transmitted through contaminated food or person-to-person through the "fecal-oral route." Hepatitis A is not, however, a precursor to developing a chronic infection. To avoid Hepatitis A, vaccinations are recommended.

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