The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an alert to recall frozen strawberries that may be contaminated with the hepatitis A virus.

The investigation carried out by the US regulatory institution revealed an outbreak of the dangerous and contagious disease in people who had consumed these fruits.

The citizens who were infected with the virus bought the strawberries, according to the FDA, in large and well-known chain stores such as Walmart, Costco and HEB, under the Great Value and Rader Farms brands, and distributed by Willamette Valley Fruit.

The company immediately recalled the products, as ordered by the FDA. As of June 13, the outbreak has sickened nine people in the states of Washington, Oregon, and California. Three citizens had to be hospitalized after presenting serious symptoms.

The strawberries distributed by Great Value and due for recall are in four-pound bags of Frozen Mixed Fruit, Sliced ​​Strawberries in four-pound bags, and Antioxidant Mixed Fruit in two-pound bags.

Great Value products were sold at Walmart stores in Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska , Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

Strawberries distributed by Rader Farms and required to be recalled are found in organic smoothie mixes freshstart, in 48-ounce bags sold at Costco stores; and organic strawberries that are sold in three-pound bags and are on public display at HEB stores.

“The FDA continues to work with all brands involved to identify additional and important information about the mentioned product,” the institution warned.

According to the New York State Department of Health, “Most cases of hepatitis A infection result from contact with a domestic or sexual partner who has the disease. However, the virus can also be transmitted by consuming food or drink that was handled by an infected person.

recalled products

According to official information, the products withdrawn by the health authorities of the United States are:

– Willamette Valley Fruits: 4-pound bags of Great Value Mixed Fruits, 4-pound bags of Great Value Sliced ​​Strawberries, and 2-pound bags of Great Value Antioxidant Fruit Mixes sold at Walmart.

– Organic Smoothie Mix: fresh start from Rader Farm, 48 ounces, bags sold at Costco, as well as Rader Farms Organic Berry trio. 3 pound bags sold at HEB stores.

– Wawona Frozen Foods: organic mix DayBreak Wawona brand 4 lbs. Bag with expiration of 09/23/2023, 09/29/2023 and 09/30/2023 and 10/18/2023.

-California Splendor: Kirkand Signature 4 lbs. strawberry bag

– Scenic Fruit: were included Simply Nature, Vital Choise, Kirkland Signature, Made With, frozen organic strawberries from PCC Community Markets and Trader Joe’s Organic Fruit Blend with specified expiration dates.

What is hepatitis A

This is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus, which can be prevented with a vaccine.

It is important to note that hepatitis A it can cause inflammation and liver damage, which occurs when tissues in the body become injured or infected. Inflammation can damage organs. NIH External Link viruses invade normal cells in the body.

According to the National Institute of Diabetes ans Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Niddk, NIH External Link viruses invade normal cells in the body.

“Many viruses cause infections that can be passed from person to person. The hepatitis A virus is generally transmitted through contact with food or water that has been contaminated by the feces of an infected person,” he noted.

According to specialists, this condition can disappear without the need for treatment after one or two months, so it is recommended that the person rest and maintain adequate hydration.

Symptoms include:

• tiredness or fatigue
• loss of appetite
• Fever
• Joint and muscle pain
• General discomfort
• Headaches
• Nausea
• vomiting

When these first symptoms begin, in some cases a yellow coloration of the skin and eyes can appear, which is called “jaundice”.

This symptom is often accompanied by itchy skin, dark urine, and whitish stools. It should be remembered that the inflammatory process of hepatitis can last more than six months, becoming chronic hepatitis.

If acute hepatitis becomes severe, the function of the liver and bile ducts may be compromised. This would increase the risk of bleeding. it would interfere with the production of proteins and compromise the immune system, and could affect other organs of the body.

Also, the web portal your health notes that during the acute stage of hepatitis, acute liver failure may also develop, Therefore, the diagnosis must be made early, since urgent interventions may be necessary, such as a liver transplant.

Although it is an acute or short-lived infection, the person with it may improve without treatment after a few weeks. Additionally, it does not lead to long-term complications, such as cirrhosis, because the infection lasts for a short time.

According to figures from the Niddk, in the United States hepatitis A has become relatively rare, because since 1995 there began to be access to the vaccine against that disease.

Thanks to the immunizer, the infection rate was reduced by 95% in that country. According to research, it is estimated that there were around 2,500 cases of hepatitis A there in 2014.

The disease is more common in developing countries where hygiene conditions are poor and access to drinking water is limited, such as countries located in Africa, Asia, Central and South America, and Eastern Europe.