At least 99 people in 8 states are now known to have been sickened in the ongoing hepatitis A outbreak tied to a frozen organic berry mix.That number is up from the 87 illnesses reported Monday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The CDC now reports that 38 people have been hospitalized as a result of their infections.
Illnesses have occurred in Arizona, California Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Washington.
Patients report falling ill between March 16 and June 1, 2013.
The virus has been traced back to a frozen berry mix distributed by Townsend Farms of Fairview, Oregon and sold at Costco and Harris Teeter stores.
To date, all illnesses have been linked to the “Townsend Farms Organic Anti-Oxidant Blend” sold at Costco. The product was sold under the Harris Teeter brand at Harris Teeter stores, but no Harris Teeter customers have reported illness after consuming it.
Customers who consumed the frozen berry mix linked to the outbreak within the past 14 days are urged to get the hepatitis A vaccine if they have not had it before.
Those who consumed the berries more than two weeks ago will not benefit from the vaccine, but should keep an eye out for symptoms of hepatitis A infection, which include nausea, cramping in the upper right abdomen, diarrhea, fatigue, loss of appetite, dark urine and jaundice, or yellowing of the skin and eyes.
