Smoothie Hepatitis A Cases Climb to 40 in Virginia

The Virginia Department of Health reports Monday morning that five new cases of Hepatitis A, linked to consuming strawberry smoothies from Tropical Smoothie Cafe, have been reported, bringing the total number of cases in Virginia to 40.

Of the 40 cases, 18 are located in the Northern Virginia suburbs. More than half of the 40 people have been hospitalized for the illness, the health department said. The 40 ill residents range in age from 15-68, the health department reported.

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is investigating the outbreak of hepatitis A cases and has identified a potential association with smoothies from Tropical Smoothie Café restaurants in Virginia.

The department reports that anyone who consumed a smoothie from a Tropical Smoothie Cafe in Virginia that contained frozen strawberries, on August 5, 6, 7 or 8, is at risk. 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, the health department said. Anyone who consumed a smoothie after the frozen strawberries were removed from restaurants is not thought to be at risk for hepatitis A.

On August 12, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notified VDH that genetic testing of multiple ill persons showed the illnesses were caused by a strain of hepatitis A that had been associated with past outbreaks due to frozen strawberries from Egypt. Frozen Egyptian strawberries used at Tropical Smoothie Café are thought to be the source of this outbreak in Virginia. This product has been removed from use at all Tropical Smoothie locations in Virginia.

Onsets of illness for the 40 cases range from early May through mid-August. The common exposure shared by ill persons was not "hypothesized" until August, at which time VDH re-interviewed persons reported earlier in the year to confirm the link with smoothie consumption. The investigation into this outbreak is ongoing.

Symptoms of Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is an inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus. The classic symptom of hepatitis A is jaundice, which is a yellowing of the skin or the eyes. Other symptoms of hepatitis A include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine and light-colored stools. Symptoms develop 15-50 days after exposure to the virus, which can occur through direct contact with another person who has the infection or by consuming food or drink that has been contaminated with the virus.

Preventing spread of Hepatitis A

Frequent handwashing with soap and warm water after using the bathroom, changing a diaper, or before preparing food can help prevent the spread of hepatitis A. It is very important for people who have symptoms of hepatitis A to stay home from work, especially if they work in food service. Routine vaccination against hepatitis A has reduced the risk of this disease in the past decade. Vaccination is available to anyone, but specifically recommended for all children, for travelers to certain countries, and for people at high risk for infection with the virus. Hepatitis A vaccine is available from health care providers (including some pharmacies and travel clinics) to protect against this disease.

Individuals can contact their local health department with any questions concerning this investigation. For more information, visit http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/epidemiology/epidemiology-fact-sheets/hepatitis-a/.

PHOTO: Shutterstock