Multistate Outbreak of Hepatitis A

As of May 31, 2013, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have reported 30 people ill with acute hepatitis A from five states, including California. Illnesses may be linked to consumption of contaminated “Townsend Farms brand Organic Antioxidant Blend”, a frozen berry and pomegranate seed mix, sold from late February 2013 until late May 2013 at Costco stores. Health care providers evaluating patients with acute hepatitis should ask about exposure to this product and report suspected cases to Alameda County Public Health Department at 510-267-3250. Health care providers should provide hepatitis A postexposure prophylaxis to patients who are susceptible to hepatitis A infection within two weeks of their last exposure to this berry product.

• CDC hepatitis A outbreak information
• California Department of Public Health Hepatitis A Postexposure Prophylaxis Guidance