Hepatitis A outbreak related to U.S. frozen strawberries spurs Canadian probe – National | 24CA News
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is wanting into whether or not frozen natural strawberries which have been linked to a hepatitis A outbreak within the United States have been additionally offered in Canada.
Since mid-March, a number of manufacturers of frozen natural strawberries have been recalled throughout the U.S. over considerations of hepatitis A infections.
The strawberries in query have been imported by a standard provider from sure farms situated in Baja California, a Mexican state, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mentioned in an replace on April 11.
The affected merchandise have been pulled nationwide from large retail chains reminiscent of Costco and Trader Joe’s.
CFIA, which is chargeable for meals security investigations and recollects in Canada, mentioned they aren’t at present conscious of any Canadian distribution of the strawberries which will pose an an infection threat, however they’re wanting into the matter.
“The CFIA is aware of the outbreak in the United States and is working with U.S. authorities to confirm if any affected products are sold in Canada,” an company spokesperson advised Global News Friday.
“If an affected product is identified, the agency will work with industry to recall the product as soon as possible.”
Health Canada advised Global News there are at present no lively recollects of strawberries in Canada.
Last yr, 10 lab-confirmed circumstances of hepatitis A sickness involving FreshKampo model contemporary natural strawberries have been reported in two Canadian provinces – Alberta and Saskatchewan.
In that outbreak, 4 individuals required hospitalization however there have been no deaths.
The FDA, which continues its investigation, says the present pressure of hepatitis A virus inflicting sicknesses is “genetically identical” to the pressure that brought about the outbreak final yr.
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Canada is seeing an uptick in circumstances of unexplained hepatitis in youngsters. What does this imply?
Hepatitis A is a contagious liver illness that’s preventable by way of vaccination.
The virus is contracted by consuming contaminated meals or water or by way of contact with an contaminated individual’s stool, in keeping with Health Canada.
Raw fruit and veggies in addition to uncooked or undercooked shellfish are widespread meals sources of hepatitis A.
Symptoms of sickness embody fever, lack of urge for food, abdomen cramps, darkish urine and jaundice, Health Canada’s web site states.
Symptoms are often gentle, lasting one to 2 weeks. However, extreme sickness can final a number of months.
Health Canada presents the following ideas to keep away from hepatitis A an infection:
- Wash your fingers after utilizing the washroom and altering diapers, and earlier than getting ready or consuming meals.
- When travelling, particularly to growing international locations:
- drink water from a secure provide (commercially bottled carbonated water or boiled water)
- keep away from ice cubes in drinks
- eat solely freshly cooked meals
- keep away from non-peelable uncooked fruit or greens
- Talk to your physician about getting a hepatitis A vaccination earlier than travelling.
- Cook meals to a secure inner temperature utilizing a digital thermometer.
- If you assume that you’ve been uncovered to the hepatitis A virus, see your physician instantly. Vaccination can forestall the onset of signs if given inside two weeks of publicity.
- If you might have been identified with hepatitis A, or another gastrointestinal sickness, don’t put together meals or pour water for different individuals.
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
