Potential Hepatitis A contaminated frozen strawberries distributed to restaurants in Michigan

The Macomb County Health Department is warning of potential product-related Hepatitis A outbreak involving frozen strawberries.

Frozen strawberries originating from Egypt were distributed to commercial restaurants and food service facilities nationwide, including the State of Michigan.

>>>A list of possible locations using the strawberries within the last 14 days in Macomb County and throughout the state are listed is posted online: CLICK HERE.

There have been no reported Hepatitis A cases in the state of Michigan from frozen strawberries, it is important that residents who have consumed frozen strawberries from a commercial establishment review the MDARD website and are informed about the Hepatitis A virus.

Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) recommended for unvaccinated persons who have consumed these strawberries in the last 14 days consist of vaccination for those ages 1-40 years old, and  Immunoglobulin (IG) for those over the age of 40 (Hepatitis A vaccine can be substituted if IG is not available). PEP offers no benefit to exposure that occurred more than two weeks.

Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that results from exposure to the Hepatitis A virus, including from food. It can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious illness lasting several months. Illness generally occurs within 15 to 50 days of exposure and includes fatigue, abdominal pain, yellow skin (jaundice), abnormal liver tests, dark urine and pale stool.

Residents who are exhibiting any symptoms or who believe they have been exposed to the Hepatitis A virus within the last 14 days, are urged by the Health Department to contact their primary health care provider. For more information about Hepatitis A, visit the Health Department or CDC websites or contact the Communicable Disease Division at (586) 783-8190.

CDC Information on Hepatitus A: CLICK HERE.