Costco Frozen Berries Linked to Hepatitis Outbreaks Prompt Clinics Throughout Southern California

By City News Service

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health will operate special clinics Sunday to offer preventative treatment to anyone who may have been exposed to frozen berries sold at Costco stores that have been linked to a multistate outbreak of hepatitis A infections.

About 3,000 boxes of the tainted frozen berries were sold in Los Angeles County, officials said.

At least 30 cases of hepatitis A nationwide that may be linked to Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend frozen berries as of Friday, according to Dr. Jonathan E. Fielding, Los Angeles County's director of public health and health officer.

There were seven confirmed illnesses in California to people who consumed the product -- two in San Bernardino County and one each in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Diego and Humboldt counties, Fielding said.

Three of these individuals have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported, Fielding said.

A second possible case in Los Angeles County is under investigation, Fielding said.

"Those that have purchased this product should discard it if still found in their home," Fielding said. "We are actively investigating this situation, anyone who has consumed this specific product should contact their doctor within the 14-day period to discuss possible hepatitis A prevention and treatment options."

Costco has removed the product from its stores and is notifying their customers who have bought this product.

Health officials recommend that individuals who ate this product to receive an IG shot or hepatitis A vaccination to prevent or reduce illness. No other product is considered to be at risk.

IG is a shot of concentrated antibodies made from donated blood, providing temporary protection. The hepatitis A vaccine helps the body develop its own antibodies, providing longer-lasting protection. Shots must be received within 14 days of exposure in order to reduce or prevent illness, Fielding said.

People who have been vaccinated against hepatitis A or have received IG within the last three months or have ever had laboratory confirmed infection with the hepatitis A virus also do not need an injection of IG, Fielding said.

The Department of Public Health is encouraging affected residents to seek IG or vaccine through their personal physicians.The incubation period for hepatitis A is two to seven weeks. People who may have been exposed should watch for the following symptoms -- jaundice (a yellow color to the eyes or skin), fatigue and light-colored bowel movements, nausea, fever, loss of appetite, abdominal cramps, vomiting and dark-colored urine, Fielding said.

People experiencing those symptoms, should contact their physicians, Fielding said.

Close contacts, including household and sexual partners, are at risk for acquiring hepatitis A from an infected person. It is important to be diagnosed promptly to ensure that treatments with IG or vaccine are effective, Fielding said.

Routine vaccination and thorough handwashing with soap and hot water after using the toilet and before handling food are the most effective factors in preventing the spread of the disease, Fielding said.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health will operate special clinics from 10 a.m-4 p.m. today and Sunday at the following locations to offer preventive treatment to anyone who may have been exposed to this product:

-- Antelope Valley Health Center, 335 Avenue K-6, Lancaster;
-- North Hollywood Health Center, 5300 Tujunga Ave., North Hollywood;
-- Monrovia Health Center, 330 W. Maple Ave., Monrovia;
-- Hollywood Wilshire Health Center, 5205 Melrose Ave., Hollywood;
-- Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Public Health, 11833 S. Wilmington Ave., Willowbrook;
-- Whittier Health Center, 7643 S. Painter Ave., Whittier; and
-- Curtis Tucker Health Center, 123 W. Manchester Blvd., Inglewood.