Tropical Smoothie Cafe Customers in Virginia at Risk of Hepatitis A

The Virginia Department of Health is investigating a cluster of hepatitis A cases and has identified a potential association with smoothies from Tropical Smoothie Cafe restaurants in Virginia, the agency announced Friday.

The cafe has many locations in the Northern Virginia area, including in Ashburn, Reston, Oakton, Dunn Loring, Falls Church, Arlington, Alexandria, Leesburg and Fredericksburg

Genetic testing shows the illnesses were caused by a strain of hepatitis A that has been associated with past outbreaks due to frozen strawberries from Egypt, the department said. After learning of the potential link to strawberries, Tropical Smoothie Cafe conducted a voluntary product withdrawal of all strawberries sourced from Egypt and found an alternate supply, the health department said.

Individuals who consumed a smoothie from a Tropical Smoothie Cafe in Virginia that contained frozen strawberries, on Aug. 5, 6, 7 or 8 may still benefit from vaccine or immune globulin to prevent hepatitis A, according to the health department.

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, according to the health department. Anyone who consumed a smoothie after the frozen strawberries were removed from restaurants is not thought to be at risk for hepatitis A, authorities said.

Other restaurants, and firms that supply restaurants, may also have received the frozen strawberries imported from Egypt, the health department warned.

VDH is continuing to investigate cases and work with state and federal partners, including the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to identify additional locations where the product might have been distributed.

Anyone who consumed a smoothie with frozen strawberries at a restaurant within the last 50 days is encouraged to watch for symptoms of hepatitis A. If illness occurs, the Virginia Health Department advises seeking medical care and taking steps to protect others from the infection.

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.

Frequent hand-washing 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, according to the health department.

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 the VDH website.

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