Category Archives: Hepatitis A

USA – FDA Core Outbreak Table

Posted on June 30, 2022 by KSW | Leave a comment


Date Posted	Ref	Pathogen or Cause of Illness	Product(s) Linked to Illnesses (if any)	Total Case Count	Status
6/29/ 2022	1076	Not Yet Identified	Frozen Food	107 adverse event reports	Active
6/22/ 2022	1075	Salmonella Braenderup	Not Yet Identified	42	Active
6/22/ 2022	1072	Salmonella Paratyphi B var. L(+) tartrate+	Not Yet Identified	14	Active
6/15/ 2022	1070	Listeria monocytogenes	Not Yet Identified	12	Active
6/8/ 2022	1068	E. coli O157:H7	Not Yet Identified	10	Active
6/1/ 2022	1066	Hepatitis A Virus	Strawberries	See Outbreak Advisory	Active
5/25/ 2022	1067	Salmonella Senftenberg	Peanut Butter	See Outbreak Advisory	Active
4/20/ 2022	1064	Not Yet Identified	Dry Cereal	558 adverse event reports	Active
4/13/ 2022	1057	Listeria monocytogenes	Not Yet Identified	22	Active
3/30/ 2022	1060	None Identified	Meal Replacement Drink	6 adverse event reports	Closed
3/16/ 2022	1055	Salmonella Saintpaul	Not Identified	60	Closed
2/17/ 2022	1056	Cronobacter sakazakii	Powdered Infant Formula	See Advisory	Active (IMG)
2/9/ 2022	1040	Listeria monocytogenes	Not Identified	20	Closed
2/2/ 2022	1054	Enteroinvasive E. coli O143:H26	Not Identified	16	Closed
1/10/ 2022	1050	E. coli O121:H19	Romaine	4	Closed

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Posted in Cronobacter sakazakii, E.coli O121, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, FDA, food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Hepatitis A, Illness, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, O143:H26, outbreak, Salmonella

USA – Possible Long Beach Meals on Wheels Hepatitis A Exposure

Posted on June 27, 2022 by KSW | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Bulletin

A possible Long Beach Meals on Wheels hepatitis A exposure has occurred in California. The incident occurred because a volunteer who was helping package food was allegedly diagnosed with the illness. The exposures took place in “late May and June” 2022.

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Posted in Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Virus, Hepatitis A, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, Virus

USA – FDA Core Investigation Table Update

Posted on June 24, 2022 by KSW | Leave a comment

FDA

Date Posted	Ref	Pathogen or Cause of Illness	Product(s) Linked to Illnesses (if any)	Total Case Count	Status
6/22/ 2022	1075	Salmonella Braenderup	Not Yet Identified	40	Active
6/22/ 2022	1072	Salmonella Paratyphi B var. L(+) tartrate+	Not Yet Identified	13	Active
6/15/ 2022	1070	Listeria monocytogenes	Not Yet Identified	12	Active
6/8/ 2022	1068	E. coli O157:H7	Not Yet Identified	10	Active
6/1/ 2022	1066	Hepatitis A Virus	Strawberries	See Outbreak Advisory	Active
5/25/ 2022	1067	Salmonella Senftenberg	Peanut Butter	See Outbreak Advisory	Active
4/20/ 2022	1064	Not Yet Identified	Dry Cereal	558 adverse event reports	Active
4/13/ 2022	1057	Listeria monocytogenes	Not Yet Identified	21	Active
3/30/ 2022	1060	None Identified	Meal Replacement Drink	6 adverse event reports	Closed
3/16/ 2022	1055	Salmonella Saintpaul	Not Identified	60	Closed
2/17/ 2022	1056	Cronobacter sakazakii	Powdered Infant Formula	See Advisory	Active (IMG)
2/9/ 2022	1040	Listeria monocytogenes	Not Identified	20	Closed
2/2/ 2022	1054	Enteroinvasive E. coli O143:H26	Not Identified	16	Closed
1/10/2022	1050	E. coli O121:H19	Romaine	4	Closed

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Posted in Cronobacter sakazakii, E.coli O121, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, FDA, Hepatitis A, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, O143:H26, Salmonella

USA – FDA Core Investigation Table Update

Posted on June 16, 2022 by KSW | Leave a comment

FDA

Date Posted	Ref #	Pathogen or Cause of Illness	Product(s) Linked to Illnesses (if any)	Total Case Count	Status
6/15/ 2022	1070	Listeria monocytogenes	Not Yet Identified	12	Active
6/8/ 2022	1068	E. coli O157:H7	Not Yet Identified	10	Active
6/1/ 2022	1066	Hepatitis A Virus	Strawberries	See Outbreak Advisory	Active
5/25/ 2022	1067	Salmonella Senftenberg	Peanut Butter	See Outbreak Advisory	Active
4/20/ 2022	1064	Not Yet Identified	Dry Cereal	558 adverse event reports	Active
4/13/ 2022	1057	Listeria monocytogenes	Not Yet Identified	21	Active
3/30/ 2022	1060	Not Yet Identified	Meal Replacement Drink	6 adverse event reports	Closed
3/16/ 2022	1055	Salmonella Saintpaul	Not Identified	60	Closed
2/17/ 2022	1056	Cronobacter sakazakii	Powdered Infant Formula	See Advisory	Active (IMG)
2/9/ 2022	1040	Listeria monocytogenes	Not Identified	20	Closed
2/2/ 2022	1054	Enteroinvasive E. coli O143:H26	Not Identified	16	Closed
1/10/ 2022	1050	E. coli O121:H19	Romaine	4	Closed

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Posted in Cronobacter sakazakii, E.coli O121, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, FDA, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Hepatitis A, Listeria monocytogenes, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, O143:H26, Salmonella

USA – Multistate Outbreak of Hepatitis A Virus Infections Linked to Fresh Organic Strawberries

Posted on June 13, 2022 by KSW | Leave a comment

CDC

At a Glance

Reported cases: 18
States: 3
Hospitalizations: 13
Deaths: 0

CDC recommends that people who purchased fresh organic strawberries branded as FreshKampo or HEB during March 5, 2022, through April 15, 2022, and then froze those strawberries for later consumption take the following actions:

Check your freezer for these fresh organic strawberries. If you froze them to eat later, do not eat them.
Throw away any remaining fresh organic strawberries that you froze for later consumption. If you are unsure of what brand you purchased, when you purchased your fresh organic strawberries, or where you purchased them prior to freezing them, you should throw the strawberries away.
If you have eaten these organic strawberries, purchased fresh and later frozen, within the last 14 days and are not vaccinated against hepatitis A, contact your local health department or health care provider to discuss getting postexposure prophylaxis (hepatitis A vaccine or immune globulin). Getting postexposure prophylaxis within 14 days of exposure can help prevent illness.

Outbreak Information

As of June 7, 2022, there are:
- 18 outbreak-associated cases of hepatitis A reported from 3 states (California, Minnesota, and North Dakota).
- Illnesses started on dates ranging from March 28, 2022, to May 6, 2022.
- 13 people have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
Epidemiologic and traceback evidence indicate that fresh organic strawberries are the likely source of this outbreak.
- In interviews, 11/14 (79%) reported eating fresh organic strawberries.

What is Hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A is a contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. The hepatitis A virus is found in the stool and blood of people who are infected. The hepatitis A virus is spread when someone ingests the virus, usually through close personal contact with an infected person or from eating contaminated food or drink. Hepatitis A can be prevented with a vaccine, which is recommended for all children at age one and adults at risk.

Symptoms of Hepatitis A

Symptoms of hepatitis A usually appear 2 to 7 weeks after exposure and can include
- Yellow skin or eyes
- Not wanting to eat
- Upset stomach
- Stomach pain
- Throwing up
- Fever
- Dark urine or light-colored stools
- Joint pain
- Diarrhea
- Feeling tired
Not everyone with hepatitis A has symptoms. Adults are more likely to have symptoms than children.
People who get hepatitis A may feel sick for a few weeks to several months but usually recover completely and do not have lasting liver damage. In some people, though, the illness may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized.
In rare cases, hepatitis A can cause liver failure and even death. This is more common in older people and in people with other serious health issues, such as chronic liver disease.

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Posted in food bourne outbreak, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Virus, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Hepatitis A, Illness, outbreak, Virus

USA – FDA Core Outbreak Tabel Update

Posted on June 10, 2022 by KSW | Leave a comment

FDA

Date Posted	Ref	Pathogen	Product	Total Case Count	Status
6/8/ 2022	1068	E. coli O157:H7	Not Yet Identified	10	Active
6/1/ 2022	1066	Hepatitis A Virus	Strawberries	See Outbreak Advisory	Active
5/25/ 2022	1067	Salmonella Senftenberg	Peanut Butter	See Outbreak Advisory	Active
4/20/ 2022	1064	Not Yet Identified	Dry Cereal	558 adverse event reports	Active
4/13/ 2022	1057	Listeria monocytogenes	Not Yet Identified	21	Active
3/30/ 2022	1060	Not Yet Identified	Meal Replacement Drink	6 adverse event reports	Closed
3/16/ 2022	1055	Salmonella Saintpaul	Not Identified	60	Closed
2/17/ 2022	1056	Cronobacter sakazakii	Powdered Infant Formula	See Advisory	Active (IMG)
2/9/ 2022	1040	Listeria monocytogenes	Not Identified	20	Closed
2/2/ 2022	1054	Enteroinvasive E. coli O143:H26	Not Identified	16	Closed
1/10/ 2022	1050	E. coli O121:H19	Romaine	4	Closed

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Posted in Cronobacter sakazakii, E.coli O121, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, FDA, food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Hepatitis A, Illness, Listeria monocytogenes, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, O143:H26, outbreak, Salmonella, Salmonella Peanut Butter

USA – Urban Remedy Recalls Urban Remedy Organic Revitalizing Tea Tonic – Strawberry Hibiscus Rose Due to Possible Hepatitis A Contamination

Posted on June 8, 2022 by KSW | Leave a comment

FDA

Company Announcement

Urban Remedy is voluntarily recalling Urban Remedy Organic Revitalizing Tea Tonic Strawberry Hibiscus Rose (LOT 1232 BEST BY 7/17/2022) because it has the potential to be contaminated with Hepatitis A. Urban Remedy contracts Youngstown Grape Distributors Inc. to co-manufacture this product. The product may contain fresh organic strawberries linked to the FDA outbreak investigation of FreshKampo organic strawberries. https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-hepatitis-virus-strawberries-may-2022.

Hepatitis A is a contagious virus that can cause liver disease. A Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection can range in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a severe illness lasting several months. In rare cases, particularly consumers who have a pre-existing severe illness or are immune compromised, Hepatitis A infections can progress to liver failure. Illness usually occurs within 15 to 50 days after eating or drinking contaminated food or water. Symptoms of Hepatitis A infection include fever, headache, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, jaundice, dark urine or pale stool. In some instances, particularly in children under the age of six, Hepatitis A infection may be asymptomatic.

Persons who may have purchased the affected product do not consume, if consumed consult your health care provider or local health department to determine if a vaccination is appropriate and consumers with symptoms of Hepatitis A should contact their health providers or the local health department immediately.

No illnesses have been reported consuming Urban Remedy product to date.

UPC	Description	Lot Number	Product Size
813377025831	Urban Remedy Organic Revitalizing Tea Tonic Strawberry Hibiscus Rose	1232 Best By 7/17/2022	12oz

The product was sold in a 12oz resealable plastic bottle at various retail stores in CA, NM, VA, CO, WA, OR, CO, NY, PA, AZ, IL, OH, MD, WI, TX, WY, MO, ME, KY, MI, NC, MA, NE, and UT states between 5/17/2022 – 5/29/2022.

“At Urban Remedy, food safety is our company’s top priority,” said Paul Coletta, CEO. The company is committed to keeping their consumers informed and is asking those who purchased product with the affected lot number to dispose of the item or return it to place of purchase for full credit.

Consumers with additional questions can call (855) 875-8423 from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm PDT or email Connect@UrbanRemedy.com

Company Contact Information

Consumers:: (855) 875-8423; Connect@UrbanRemedy.com

Product Photos

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Posted in food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Testing, Food Virus, Hepatitis A, Virus

USA – Outbreak Investigation of Hepatitis A Virus: Strawberries (May 2022)

Posted on June 6, 2022 by KSW | Leave a comment

FDA

The FDA, along with CDC, and state and local partners, is investigating a multistate outbreak of hepatitis Ainfections in the United States linked to fresh organic strawberries. These potentially contaminated strawberries were imported from Baja California, a state in northern Mexico and branded as FreshKampo and HEB by a common supplier; they were purchased between March 5, 2022, and April 25, 2022. The Public Health Agency of Canada External Link Disclaimer and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency External Link Disclaimer are also investigating an outbreak of hepatitis A. Imported fresh organic strawberries have been identified as the likely source of that outbreak.

Currently, these fresh organic strawberries branded as FreshKampo and HEB products are past shelf life and are not available for purchase in stores. People who purchased FreshKampo and HEB fresh organic strawberries between March 5, 2022, and April 25, 2022, and then froze those strawberries for later consumption should not eat them. These products may have been sold at the following retailers, including, but not limited to:

HEB
Kroger
Safeway
Sprouts Farmers Market
Trader Joe’s
Walmart
Weis Markets
WinCo Foods

If you are unsure of what brand you purchased, when you purchased your strawberries, or where you purchased them from prior to freezing them, the strawberries should be thrown away.

Epidemiologic and traceback data show that fresh organic strawberries are a likely source of illness in this outbreak. Illness onset dates range from March 28 – April 30, 2022. Records from outbreak-associated cases in California and Minnesota show cases having purchased FreshKampo brand fresh organic strawberries prior to becoming ill. These purchases occurred between March 5, 2022, and April 25, 2022. The traceback investigation for these cases shows that the strawberries were imported from Baja California, Mexico by a common supplier. Strawberries that were identified in shipments purchased by cases were sold under both the FreshKampo and HEB brands.

As this investigation is ongoing, additional products may be included. More information will be provided in this advisory as it becomes available.

Recommendation

Consumers, restaurants, and retailers should not sell, serve, or eat any fresh organic strawberries branded as FreshKampo or HEB if purchased between March 5, 2022, and April 25, 2022. People who purchased the fresh strawberries and then froze those strawberries for later consumption should not eat them. They should be thrown away. Currently, the potentially contaminated product is past its shelf life. If you are unsure of what brand you purchased, when you purchased your strawberries, or where you purchased them from prior to freezing them, the strawberries should be thrown away.

If consumers purchased fresh organic strawberries branded as FreshKampo or HEB between March 5, 2022, and April 25, 2022, ate those berries in the last two weeks, and have not been vaccinated against hepatitis A, they should immediately consult with their healthcare professional to determine whether post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is needed. PEP is recommended for unvaccinated people who have been exposed to hepatitis A virus in the last two weeks because vaccination can prevent a hepatitis A infection if given within 14 days of exposure. Those with evidence of previous hepatitis A vaccination or previous hepatitis A infection do not require PEP.

Contact your healthcare provider if you think you may have symptoms of a hepatitis A infection after eating these fresh organic strawberries, or if you believe that you have eaten these strawberries in the last two weeks.

Product Images

Case Counts

Total U.S. Illnesses: 17
Hospitalizations: 12
Deaths: 0
Last illness onset: April 30, 2022
States with Cases: CA (15), MN (1), ND (1)
Product Distribution: Nationwide

Useful Links

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Research – Inactivation of viruses related to foodborne infections using cold plasma technology

Posted on June 1, 2022 by KSW | Leave a comment

Wiley Online

Globally, there is a rise in day-to-day demand for minimally processed foods to supply nutritious, wholesomeness and safe foods to the consumers. Contamination of food by pathogens is a serious problem resulting in several outbreaks. Food pathogens like molds, bacteria were detectable and can be inactivated. The virus detection in foods is always a difficult task as their presence could not alter any noticeable change in the quality. Norovirus, Hepatitis A viruses are well-known for their foodborne outbreaks and illnesses. Enveloped viruses are resistant and have the stability to the current traditional preservation methods due to the presence of a protective capsid layer and an envelope. The current thermal processing has shown significant effect on the product quality. The use of chemical disinfestation compounds is not suitable for food commodities. There is a need for alternative nonthermal food processing technologies for decontamination of food and food packages and preserving the food quality as well. Cold plasma is one of the emerging nonthermal, chemical-free residues, and eco-friendly technology widely being applied to the different food sectors. The main antiviral mechanism is the disruption of the capsid protein layer, the oxidation and denaturation of viral proteins. The method has also caused damage to the envelope layer and genetic material. This review focuses on cold plasma inactivation efficiency on different viruses.

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Posted in Decontamination Microbial, food bourne outbreak, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Technology, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Hepatitis A, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, mold, Mold Toxin, Mould/Mold, Norovirus, outbreak, Pathogen, pathogenic, Research, Technology

USA – Outbreak Investigation of Hepatitis A Virus: Strawberries (May 2022)

Posted on May 30, 2022 by KSW | Leave a comment

FDA

The FDA, along with CDC, the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, state, and local partners are investigating a multistate outbreak of hepatitis A infections in the United States and Canada potentially linked to fresh organic strawberries branded as FreshKampo and HEB, purchased between March 5, 2022, and April 25, 2022.

Currently, the potentially affected FreshKampo and HEB products are past shelf life. People who purchased FreshKampo and HEB fresh organic strawberries between March 5, 2022, and April 25, 2022, and then froze those strawberries for later consumption should not eat them. These products were sold at the following retailers, including, but not limited to:

Aldi
HEB
Kroger
Safeway
Sprouts Farmers Market
Trader Joe’s
Walmart
Weis Markets
WinCo Foods

If you are unsure of what brand you purchased, when you purchased your strawberries, or where you purchased them from prior to freezing them, the strawberries should be thrown away.

Epidemiologic and traceback data show that fresh organic strawberries sold as FreshKampo and HEB brands that were purchased between March 5, 2022, and April 25, 2022, are a likely cause of illness in this outbreak. The traceback investigations show that cases in California, Minnesota, and Canada report having purchased fresh organic strawberries branded as FreshKampo or HEB prior to becoming ill. Illness onset dates range from March 28 – April 30, 2022.

As this investigation is ongoing, additional products may be included. More information will be provided in this advisory as it becomes available.

Recommendation

Consumers, restaurants, and retailers should not sell, serve, or eat any fresh organic strawberries branded as FreshKampo or HEB if purchased between March 5, 2022, and April 25, 2022. People who purchased the fresh strawberries and then froze those strawberries for later consumption should not eat them. They should be thrown away. Currently, the potentially affected product is past its shelf life. If you are unsure of what brand you purchased, when you purchased your strawberries, or where you purchased them from prior to freezing them, the strawberries should be thrown away.

Case Counts

Total U.S. Illnesses: 17
Hospitalizations: 12
Deaths: 0
Last illness onset: April 30, 2022
States with Cases: CA (15), MN (1), ND (1)
Product Distribution: Nationwide

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Posted in food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Virus, Hepatitis A, Virus

Category Archives: Hepatitis A

USA – FDA Core Outbreak Table

USA – Possible Long Beach Meals on Wheels Hepatitis A Exposure

USA – FDA Core Investigation Table Update

USA – FDA Core Investigation Table Update