FDA has revealed some shocking news regarding the outbreak of Hepatitis A in Canada and the United States. They disclosed that two major organic strawberry retailers, Fresh Kampo and HEB, sold between March 5, 2022, and April 25, 2022, are more likely to cause Hepatitis A symptoms in their consumers.
With the collaboration of the CDC (Center of Disease Control and Prevention) and local partners, the FDA has investigated the multistate outbreak of Hepatitis symptoms that are possibly linked with Fresh Kampo and HEB organic strawberries eating, which were sold from March 5 to April 25.
These brands are widely available at Walmart, Trader Joe’s, Aldi, Kroger, Subway, HEB, Sprouts Farmers Market, WinCo Foods, and other local retailers.
However, HEB has denied this report and claimed that their strawberries are safe to consume. Nevertheless, it is a fact that people who purchased or consumed HEB and Fresh Kampo fresh organic strawberries have apparent or preliminary symptoms of Hepatitis.
According to the most recent update, approximately 17 cases have been reported in the United States, with 15 from California, one from North Dakota, and one from Minnesota. In addition, between April 5, 2022, to May 26 2022, WHO reported an outbreak of severe Hepatitis in 33 different countries.
The FDA has warned people not to eat strawberries from these two leading brands, and if they have purchased them and frozen them for later use, they should return or throw them away. It may increase their susceptibility to hepatitis virus exposure.
Furthermore, they advised people only to buy fresh or frozen strawberries from reputable brands, and if they are unsure, they should avoid buying and eating strawberries purchased between March 5 and April 25.
Furthermore, the FDA advised people who ate strawberries between March 5 and April 25, or HEB strawberries that had passed their shelf lives, to consult their health care provider immediately to determine if they required PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis).
This treatment is usually given to people who have not been vaccinated against Hepatitis A within 14 days of being exposed to the virus. It can protect the person from the virus’s severe side effects.
Although Hepatitis A typically gets better within a couple of months, it is incurable. Long-term and severe conditions can lead to liver damage, breathing difficulties, or even death.
The FDA team and their collaborators are conducting additional research and investigation in this area. However, if you experience Hepatitis symptoms such as fever, fatigue, jaundice, or loss of appetite, you should contact your doctor immediately.
It is strongly advised to discard or not eat strawberries with a shelf life from March 5 to April 25 unless the FDA and their team issue any new updates.
References:
https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/DON-389
