Public Health Emerging Issues Update – Hepatitis A Outbreak

A
multi-state foodborne hepatitis A investigation is underway.
A large
amount of imported frozen strawberries and frozen strawberry products believed
to be linked to an outbreak have been distributed to a broad range of
facilities including workplace cafeterias, churches, schools, universities,
child cares, camps, military institutions, restaurants large and small,
casinos, nursing homes, ski resorts, etc.
According to state and Mesa County Health
Department officials, the strawberries were not distributed to any Mesa County
facilities. Staff is still sifting through distribution records at this time.
The
strawberries were not distributed to
grocery stores, so residents do not need to throw away any strawberries
they have purchased in response to the recall.
Hepatitis A
is usually spread through:

When an infected
person does not wash his or her hands properly after going to the bathroom and
touches other objects or food.
When a
parent or caregiver does not properly wash his or her hands after changing
diapers or cleaning up the stool of an infected person.

When someone
engages in certain sexual activities, such as oral-anal contact with an
infected person.
The best way
to protect against Hepatitis A is to get vaccinated.
Contact your
health care provider or the Mesa County Health Department at 248-6900 if you
need information on vaccination.
If you start to show symptoms of
Hepatitis A, contact your health care provider immediately to discuss treatment
options.