The FDA, along with the CDC, the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, state, and local partners are investigating a multi-state outbreak of hepatitis A infections in the United States and Canada potentially linked to fresh organic strawberries purchased between March 5 and April 25, 2022.

While the potentially affected FreshKampo and HEB products are past shelf life, people who purchased FreshKampo and HEB fresh organic strawberries between the affected dates and then froze those strawberries for later consumption should not eat them.

These products were sold at the following retailers, including, but not limited to:
– Aldi
– Trader Joe’s
– Walmart

If you are unsure of what brand you purchased, when you purchased your strawberries, or where you purchased them from prior to freezing them, the strawberries should be thrown away.

If consumers purchased fresh organic strawberries branded as FreshKampo or HEB between March 5 and April 25, 2022, ate those berries in the last two weeks, and have not been vaccinated against hepatitis A, they should immediately consult with their healthcare professional to determine whether post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is needed. PEP is recommended for unvaccinated people who have been exposed to hepatitis A virus in the last two weeks because vaccination can prevent a hepatitis A infection if given within 14 days of exposure. Those with evidence of previous hepatitis A vaccination or previous hepatitis A infection do not require PEP.

Contact your healthcare provider if you think you may have symptoms of a hepatitis A infection after eating these fresh organic strawberries, or if you believe that you have eaten these strawberries in the last two weeks.

Pre-registration is required for the clinic that is taking place from 1 to 4pm and can be done online at https://chqgov.com/public-health/covid-19-vaccination-clinics

The Pzifer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are all available at this clinic.

The Health Department also will hold a COVID-19 and Hepatitis A vaccination clinic tomorrow at the Mental Health Association‘s Jamestown location.

That clinic will take place from noon to 3pm with no appointment necessary. The Johnson and Johnson vaccine and booster will be made available for those age 16 and older.

Also available will be the Hepatitis A first dose and second dose if the primary dose was received at least six months ago.

There will also be a free screening for hepatitis A. This vaccine-preventable liver infection is spread by close personal contact with an infected person or through contaminated food or drink. Anyone can be scheduled for a hepatitis A vaccination. Those testing positive will be connected with treatment.

For more information, contact the MHA at (716) 661-9044.

County Health Department Epidemiologist Bree Agett said the county has seen a dramatic increase in Hepatitis A cases over the last nine months, “We typically see about one to two cases a year, but since October of 2020 we’ve had about 56 cases in Chautauqua County. And when we do see cases, they’re typically among people who have high risks and within high risk groups. But we’re starting to occasionally see some that are not in high risk groups.”

Agett said there was a food-related outbreak of Hepatitis A back in May, and that they fear it could happen again “And it’s concerning when there’s a restaurant worker or a grocery store worker, somebody who is frequently touching ready-to-eat foods. When somebody within those groups contracts Hepatitis A, there’s a great risk for potentially spreading that to the broader community.”

Agett said while the Hepatitis A vaccine has been included in the child immunization schedule since 2000, anyone over the age of 22 typically does not have this vaccine, “So we’re encouraging people to reach out to their provider to check their vaccination status against Hepatitis A. And if they haven’t been vaccinated and they enjoy going out to eat and eating foods from the grocery store there’s no really harm in getting that Hep A vaccine and adding that level of protection within our bodies.”

The Chautauqua County Health Department will be offering the Hepatitis A vaccine along with the COVID-19 vaccine at its community vaccination site at the Chautauqua Lake Bus Garage in Mayville from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Tuesdays in July.

• 4:30 to 6:30pm, Tuesday, May 25th at the Cassadaga Valley Central School Bus Garage
• 3:00 to 7:00pm, Friday, May 28th at SUNY Fredonia Steele Hall

Appointments are not needed, but individuals may pre-register. Please bring your driver’s license or another form of identification.

People who ate at The Mustard Seed Restaurant located at 31 E Main Street in Fredonia between April 1st and May 19th were potentially exposed to hepatitis A. Most people do not get sick when an employee at a restaurant has hepatitis A, but there is still a risk. People who may have been exposed should receive treatment to prevent infection.

If you have questions, you may call the Chautauqua County Health Department at 1-866-604-6789.