The virus is likely to have spread due to contaminated organic strawberries sold between March 5 and April 25.
The United States and Canada have reported an outbreak of hepatitis A, which may have spread due to contaminated organic strawberries.
The strawberries, which were distributed nationwide, were sold under the FreshKampo or HEB brand between March 5 and April 25, according to a statement from the US Food and Drug Administration late Saturday.
In the United States, 17 infections were reported with 12 hospitalizations, while 10 infections were reported in Canada. In the United States, at least 15 cases have been reported in California, while in Canada, four cases have been reported in Alberta and six in Saskatchewan.
The FDA said the fruit is sold nationwide in at least nine grocery chains, including Trader Joe’s and Walmart, while the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) said the fruit was sold between March 5 and 9 in stores in Saskatchewan and Alberta and are no longer for sale. available for purchase in Canada.
“People who bought fresh strawberries and then froze those strawberries for later consumption should not eat them. They need to be discarded, “the FDA said.
Here’s what we know about the epidemic:
What is hepatitis A?
According to the FDA, hepatitis A is a contagious virus that causes inflammation of the liver.
It is spread mainly when an uninfected and unvaccinated person ingests food or water contaminated with the feces of an infected person. The disease is closely related to poor sanitation or hygiene.
The WHO estimates that in 2016, 7,134 people died from the disease (representing 0.5% of deaths from viral hepatitis).
However, unlike other types of hepatitis, hepatitis A does not lead to chronic disease. But in rare cases, a small proportion of infected people may die from acute liver failure.
The World Health Organization says that the spread of this virus occurs “sporadically and in epidemics around the world, with a tendency to cyclical relapses.” Outbreaks of contaminated food can spread quickly.
What are the most common symptoms?
The FDA says the most common symptoms include loss of appetite, diarrhea, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps or abdominal pain, dark urine, and yellowing of the eyes and skin.
In some cases, especially in children under the age of six, they may not show any symptoms.
Symptoms usually appear 14 to 28 days after exposure to the virus and usually last less than two months. According to the Canadian health authorities, mild symptoms can last only one or two weeks, while severe symptoms can last up to nine months.
What are the available treatments?
According to health authorities, there is no cure for hepatitis A.
Experts advise infected people to rest, drink fluids and eat well.
The NHS in the UK also advises avoiding alcohol consumption to reduce the burden on the liver and to practice good hygiene, such as washing your hands regularly with soap and water.
According to the Canadian health authorities, the best way to prevent this is to get vaccinated. The risk can also be reduced by hand washing, safe food and sexual practices and precautions with food and water.
Add Comment